Eight Palestinian factions are convening in Cairo this week to finalize the framework of a transitional administration for the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing regional negotiations over the postwar future of the enclave.
According to The Washington Post, the closed-door talks could open the door for Hamas to participate in shaping Gaza’s next governing authority—despite Israel’s stated goal of dismantling the group’s political influence in the territory, and decades of internal Palestinian division between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
The discussions bring together eight key factions, most notably Fatah—which leads the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority—and Hamas. According to unnamed Palestinian, Arab, and international sources cited by the Post, the aim is to forge consensus around the core elements of a temporary governing structure.
In parallel, separate negotiations are reportedly underway over the possible composition of a multinational force tasked with maintaining stability on the ground.
The meetings are being held at Egypt’s invitation. In an interview with The Washington Post, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the ultimate objective is to establish a non-political administrative committee composed entirely of technocrats from Gaza.
The main goal is to empower Palestinians—including the Palestinian Authority—to govern Gaza as an inseparable part of the West Bank, Abdelatty said, describing it as a necessary step toward the creation of a Palestinian state.
Under the proposal, committee members would oversee day-to-day civil affairs, while law enforcement responsibilities would fall to local police institutions.
Abdelatty also stressed that the United Nations Security Council should determine the specific mandate of the proposed Peace Council, including its relationship with the Palestinian committee. However, he emphasized that Egypt and the Palestinian factions are unified in the belief that civil governance in Gaza must be led by Palestinians themselves.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that Hamas must be disarmed and that Gaza must be transformed into a demilitarized zone. He has confirmed that Tel Aviv is working closely with Washington on a plan to reshape the reality in Gaza as part of a broader agreement with US President Donald Trump.
On October 9, President Trump announced that Hamas and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire deal, with the initial phase involving an exchange of detainees, and a second phase focused on Gaza’s governance and the disarmament of Hamas.
In mid-October, Netanyahu issued a stark warning during an interview with CBS News, stating that failure by Hamas to comply with the agreement would “open the gates of hell.” He reiterated that the disarmament of Hamas and an end to weapons smuggling into Gaza are preconditions for lasting peace.
“If Hamas fails to comply,” Netanyahu said, “the situation will explode completely.”
The Trump peace framework for the Middle East, a 20-point plan, includes full disarmament of Gaza, safe exit corridors for Hamas leaders wishing to leave the enclave, and immunity from prosecution for those who commit to “peaceful coexistence.”
The plan also calls for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid under UN supervision, followed by a large-scale reconstruction effort managed by an international economic committee and development experts—some of whom, Trump said, were involved in building “miracle cities” in other parts of the region.
During the transitional phase, Gaza would be administered by a non-political technocratic committee composed of Palestinian professionals and international experts, under the supervision of the proposed Peace Council. A temporary international security force would be tasked with preventing renewed hostilities and ensuring territorial stability.
