Palestinian Govt Forms Committee to Manage Gaza, Excludes Hamas

A Palestinian flag over the rubble of a destroyed building in Rafah, Gaza., on Tuesday. (Reuters)
A Palestinian flag over the rubble of a destroyed building in Rafah, Gaza., on Tuesday. (Reuters)
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Palestinian Govt Forms Committee to Manage Gaza, Excludes Hamas

A Palestinian flag over the rubble of a destroyed building in Rafah, Gaza., on Tuesday. (Reuters)
A Palestinian flag over the rubble of a destroyed building in Rafah, Gaza., on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced the creation of a new committee to manage Gaza’s affairs, a step that excludes Hamas from governing the territory. This decision addresses the ongoing uncertainty about Gaza’s administration after the war.

“To uphold the unity of Palestinian lands and strengthen national unity, the Palestinian government, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, has decided to form a committee to handle Gaza’s affairs,” Mustafa said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

The premier announced that the government is operating in Gaza through an emergency operations room to provide basic services such as water, electricity, healthcare and education.

Efforts are also underway to clear rubble, open roads, deliver humanitarian aid, and provide shelter for those whose homes were destroyed, in preparation for reconstruction.

“This is part of our responsibility to our people who have suffered through 15 months of war,” Mustafa said.

The government aims to pave the way for the Palestinian Authority to control Gaza after the conflict.

However, this is a complicated issue, as it requires approval from Israel, international and Arab support, as well as Hamas’ agreement, which still holds control over the enclave.

Mustafa did not clarify whether the new committee would work with Hamas, but a source within the Palestinian Authority told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas should step down from ruling Gaza and not be involved in any committee related to it.

“Having Hamas involved will delay all efforts. They must hand over control to the Palestinian Authority if they truly want to help people and rebuild Gaza,” the source said.

Hamas has been in control of Gaza since 2007.

Abbas has previously rejected pressure to form a joint committee with Hamas, insisting the group must surrender control of Gaza to allow the unification of Palestinian institutions.

At the end of last month, Mustafa stated that Gaza’s reconstruction requires excluding Hamas from power.

In a first step, the Palestinian Authority, in coordination with the EU, took control of the Rafah crossing to allow patients to enter Egypt for treatment without Hamas' involvement.



Egypt Aims to Deepen European Cooperation with ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Spain

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
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Egypt Aims to Deepen European Cooperation with ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Spain

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C-L) is welcomed by Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen (C-R) upon his arrival at Madrid Barajas international airport in Madrid, Spain, 18 February 2025. (EPA)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kicked off an official visit to Spain on Tuesday, during which he is set to sign an agreement elevating bilateral relations to the level of a “strategic partnership.”

Sisi’s visit is also part of Egypt’s broader efforts to rally international and European support for the Palestinian cause and counter calls for the “forced displacement” of Palestinians.

Cairo’s engagement with Europe has gained momentum recently, particularly after Egypt and the European Union signed a Joint Declaration in March last year, raising their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

A spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi will meet with Spain’s King and prime minister, as well as representatives of major Spanish companies. He will also participate in an economic forum with the Spanish business community.

Sisi’s visit to Madrid comes at a crucial time when Egypt is mobilizing international support for the Palestinian cause and opposing any displacement of Palestinians.

Ambassador Rakha Ahmed, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that Spain could play a key role in supporting the Arab stance that rejects Palestinian displacement, as it was among four European nations to recently recognize the State of Palestine.

In May, Spain, alongside Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, officially recognized an independent Palestinian state.

Egypt and other Arab nations have strongly rejected proposals by US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials advocating for the displacement of Gaza’s population. Instead, Cairo has put forward a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring its residents remain in place.

Ahmed told Asharq Al-Awsat that Spain’s position on the Palestinian issue aligns with Egypt’s and the broader Arab stance, as it rejects the displacement of Gaza’s residents and supports reconstruction efforts while keeping Palestinians in their homeland.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated during a Socialist Workers’ Party conference on Saturday that his country “will not allow the implementation of the US president’s proposal.”

Spain’s support for the Arab position extends to its influence within the European Union, where it could play a leading role in shaping EU policy on the Palestinian issue, according to Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and former Secretary-General of the Egypt-EU Partnership Unit.

Madrid could emerge as a “key force within the EU in support of Palestinian rights,” he noted.

Bayoumi also emphasized the significance of elevating Egyptian-Spanish relations to a strategic partnership, calling it “a vital step that strengthens cooperation between Cairo and Madrid across multiple sectors.”

He added that the agreements signed during Sisi’s visit would help facilitate trade liberalization and attract more joint investments.

Bilateral trade between Egypt and Spain reached $3.1 billion last year, slightly down from $3.2 billion in 2023. Spanish investments in Egypt totaled $123 million in the last fiscal year, according to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.