CAIRO/JERUSALEM/BEIRUT - Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, announced an agreement on Friday to establish a temporary, independent body of technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict.
The new committee, which will be composed of non-partisan figures from Gaza, is tasked with managing daily affairs and providing essential services, the factions said in a joint statement following two days of Egyptian-mediated talks in Cairo.
The factions affirmed that this body will operate under a framework of national accountability, calling for an international committee to be established specifically to supervise the funding and execution of the strip's comprehensive reconstruction efforts.
The factions demanded the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered earlier this month between Hamas and Israel, calling for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the unconditional lifting of the siege, the opening of all crossings, including the crucial Rafah border crossing, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
The Palestinian groups called for a UN Security Council resolution to mandate the temporary international forces proposed to monitor the ceasefire, thereby giving the mission a clear legal framework.
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They also stressed that the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails would remain a priority until their freedom is secured.
The factions affirmed their commitment to a broader national dialogue to unify their political efforts, pledging to work towards reactivating the Palestine Liberation Organization to ensure it represents all Palestinian components.
The ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States, took effect on Oct 10. Its first phase includes the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Despite the accord, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce.
Separately, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it struck and killed a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon on Friday.
Abbas Hassan Karky, the logistics commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front headquarters, was killed in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon, the statement said.
It claimed that Karky led efforts to rebuild Hezbollah's combat capabilities in recent months. "He was also responsible for reestablishing the organization's force structure and for managing the transfer and storage of weapons in southern Lebanon."
Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle on a road in southern Lebanon on Friday, killing Abbas Hassan Karky.
A Lebanese security source confirmed to Xinhua that Karky was a Hezbollah official, without providing further details.
A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov 27, 2024, largely halting clashes triggered by the Gaza war. However, the Israeli army continues to conduct occasional strikes in Lebanon, citing operations against Hezbollah "threats," while maintaining forces at five main positions along the Lebanese border.
