A number of names have reportedly been leaked as members of the technocratic government, known as the Gaza Strip Administration Committee. This body is expected to take over governance of the Strip from Hamas, set general policies, and raise funds to kickstart reconstruction efforts. The council will operate under the supervision of an international committee chaired by Nikolay Mladinov.

According to reports, former Palestinian Deputy Minister of Planning Ali Shaath has been chosen to lead the Palestinian Technocratic Committee, while retired intelligence officer Mohammad Nasman is set to oversee security management. No official announcement has been made yet, and attention is turning to U.S. President Donald Trump’s position on the committee and the proposed peace council. However, a focus on Iran may delay decisions regarding Gaza.

Researcher and political writer Murad Harfoush told Annahar that the selection process for the technocratic government involved several meetings between mediators - namely Egypt and Qatar - and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Palestinian Authority Deputy Chief Hussein al-Sheikh. Additional meetings were held between Egypt and Palestinian factions, which submitted 40 names for consideration for the Gaza Management Committee. However, no official announcements have been made yet.

Sensitive stalemate

Although the process appears public, a deadlock persists behind the scenes, as the committee’s political and legal ties to the Palestinian Authority remain unclear. Ramallah had hoped one of its ministers would head the committee to maintain an official link, but this did not happen, creating tensions - especially amid Israel’s refusal to connect Gaza with the West Bank.

Harfoush highlights the depth of the crisis and notes that Arab countries are working to give the Palestinian Authority a role in linking it to the governance of the Gaza Strip. According to Harfoush, a possible solution could be a compromise in which the technocratic government is connected to the Palestinian government in Ramallah through a decree by President Mahmoud Abbas, establishing the necessary political and legal ties. However, the matter remains unresolved, and discussions are ongoing.

The main obstacle, however, lies with Israel. Tel Aviv opposes any connection between Gaza and the West Bank as part of its partition plan, which weakens the Palestinian Authority’s influence. Harfoush emphasizes this point, noting that Netanyahu has previously expressed his opposition. At the same time, Arab intermediaries are pressuring the United States to persuade Israel to allow the Authority a role in Gaza.

The formation of the Gaza Administration Committee marks a step in the broader process of implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. Harfoush outlines other expected measures in the coming days and weeks, including the announcement of the peace council. Once these steps are completed, the second phase will begin, with the technocratic government taking on responsibilities such as coordinating recovery, raising funds for reconstruction, and helping to stabilize the ceasefire.

Ultimately, Gaza stands on the brink of a new phase if the management committee and peace council are established. However, there is widespread skepticism about Israel’s intentions and Netanyahu’s willingness to close the chapter of war in Gaza in favor of a political path. As a result, obstacles could resurface, threatening to derail the process and perpetuate the state of conflict unless the United States takes a clear and firm stance.

Gaza (AFP).