Why it matters:
The endorsement by Hamas and Islamic Jihad of a Palestinian-led technocratic committee marks a major shift in Gaza’s post-war governance. By agreeing to transfer internal security from Hamas to a consensus-based body, as outlined in the ceasefire deal, the factions signal openness to restructuring authority while rejecting foreign control. The move could shape Gaza’s reconstruction and avert internal conflict over who governs the Strip.
The big picture:
The future of Gaza depends on finding a balance between local legitimacy and international oversight. While Palestinian resistance groups are open to the presence of monitors to oversee ceasefires and ensure transparency in aid distribution, they maintain that Palestinian sovereignty must be preserved. The proposal to include Gaza's current police force, along with the potential integration of officers trained in Egypt, demonstrates a pragmatic approach. However, leaders caution that excluding existing forces could lead to chaos, reminiscent of the collapse seen in Iraq after its invasion.
What they’re saying:
Hamas’s Khalil al-Hayya: “We will hand over all administrative responsibilities in Gaza, including security, to the governing committee.”
Islamic Jihad’s Mohamed al-Hindi: “The police forces that currently operate in Gaza… will continue their duties, but under the committee’s authority.”
Abu Marzouk: “If you do what Paul Bremer did in Iraq, dissolving the army, to Gaza’s police, you’ll get the same result: chaos.”
Al-Hindi: “The issue is sovereignty, who actually holds authority. That authority must be Palestinian.”
Go deeper:
Hamas to Mediators: Pressure Israel
Hossein Amiri - Hossein Amiri
