Khaberni -
Informed Palestinian sources reported that the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decision to form a streamlined leadership council to take over the administration of Gaza Strip in the current phase.
The sources stated that the council includes the Deputy President of the Authority Hussein Al-Sheikh, Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Chief Islamic Judge Mahmoud Al-Habbash, President of the National Council Rawhi Fattouh, and Head of Intelligence Majid Faraj, in addition to the President's advisor Ziad Abu Amro.
This development follows a UN Security Council vote, in the early hours of Tuesday, November 18th, in favor of an American resolution supporting President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, which includes the deployment of an international force and opening a pathway towards the "establishment of a Palestinian State"; the resolution was supported by 13 members, while Russia and China abstained from voting without using their veto power.
Despite the resolution not specifying any role for the Palestinian Authority in managing the sector, it welcomed it, confirming in an official statement its readiness to take full responsibility for the sector, "within the framework of the unity of land, people, and institutions, considering Gaza an integral part of the State of Palestine," according to the official news agency "WAFA".
This scenario comes amidst an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the sector since the outbreak of the Israeli war on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of more than 238,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, in addition to more than 11,000 missing, severe famine that has claimed many lives, as well as widespread destruction in most areas of Gaza, amid international neglect to the International Court of Justice's orders to stop the aggression.
President Trump announced on October 9th the achievement of a preliminary agreement between the Israeli occupation and the "Hamas" movement, following indirect negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh with the participation of Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, and under American supervision. As per the agreement, "Hamas" released 20 living Israeli prisoners on October 13th; Israeli estimates indicate the existence of the bodies of 28 other prisoners, four of whom have been received so far.
The second phase of the agreement, which has not yet been implemented, includes the formation of a "Community Support Committee" to manage the sector's affairs, monitor the flow of aid, and oversee reconstruction projects, amid warnings that any management not based on genuine national unity and Palestinian sovereignty will remain vulnerable to disintegration and political extortion.
