Hamas, PA agree on post-war plan for Gaza

Fatah and Hamas officials say their organisations have agreed on the establishment of a committee for the administration of Gaza, as proposed by Egypt.

The proposal calls for the committee to administer the supply and distribution of humanitarian aid, civic affairs, Gaza's reconstruction and management of the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt – as was the case until 2005.

The committee, to be known as the "Communal Support Committee," would be established by presidential order by Mahmoud Abbas and would be subordinate to the Palestinian government on administrative, financial and legal matters.

But there are questions over whether Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government will go along with any involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the management of Gaza. Netanyahu is reported to show increasing support for Israeli occupation and resettlement of Gaza, being promoted by his far right coalition partners.

The ceasefire with Lebanon and the election of US President Donald Trump have placed increasing pressure on Hamas to come to an agreement with Israel.

The ceasefire means Hamas has lost the support of Hezbollah, which had previously vowed to continue to fight as long as the war continued in Gaza.

Trump’s election means international pressure on Israel is likely to wane, with Netanyahu expecting a more reliable veto in the United Nations Security Council, a quicker flow of key weapons, and intense pressure on the International Criminal Court as it goes after the Israeli leadership.

This week Trump threatened that “if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”