Hamas has officially informed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) of its readiness to transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and a newly formed government committee, according to Sky News Arabia, citing sources.
However, the group has set a condition: officials currently employed in Gaza must be guaranteed jobs within the new administration or continue receiving salaries if dismissed. Reports suggest this decision was made under “intense pressure” from Egypt following negotiations in Cairo.
On February 15, Al-Qahira Al-Ikhbariya reported that Hamas assured mediators it intends to honor its ceasefire agreement with Israel and does not plan to participate in Gaza’s future governance. Egypt is reportedly facilitating discussions on forming a temporary administrative body to oversee humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the enclave.
For the past year, Hamas and the Fatah movement have been engaged in negotiations, mediated by Egypt, on the post-war governance of Gaza. Their most recent round of talks, held in Cairo in November 2024, resulted in an agreement to establish a “public support committee,” which would assume interim control of Gaza until a unified Palestinian government is formed. Egyptian sources claim this committee was created by a decree from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and consists of independent figures from Gaza unaffiliated with any political party.
Gaza’s governance has been a contentious issue since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the territory in 2005. Initially, the PNA, led by Abbas, was in charge of both Gaza and the West Bank. However, Hamas’ victory in the 2006 elections led to friction with the more moderate Fatah movement, resulting in a political schism. Hamas seized full control of Gaza, while Fatah retained authority in the West Bank. Abbas and his allies have repeatedly stated their desire to restore PNA jurisdiction over Gaza, though Hamas had previously resisted such efforts.
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Based on materials from TASS