Hani Al-Masry: "Fatah" and "Hamas" agreed in Cairo to form a community support committee to manage Gaza.. and the reference is unclear

Ali Al-Awar: The Community Support Committee reflects an attempt to overcome political complexities, but it is a step that may marginalize the Palestinian cause

Dr. Ahmed Rafiq Awad: The Community Support Committee is an Egyptian and Palestinian attempt to deal with the difficult conditions left by the war

Dr. Ghassan Al-Khatib: What is being circulated about an agreement between Fatah and Hamas on the support committee is just leaks and press information only

Rasim Obeidat: The timing of the announcement of the formation of the committee is an attempt to block the path of non-Palestinian alternatives that may be imposed on the Strip

Despite the ongoing war of extermination waged by the occupying state on the Gaza Strip, and the absence of any prospect of ending it, meetings continued between the Fatah and Hamas movements in Cairo, to agree on a formula that can be passed internationally to manage the affairs of the Strip and alleviate the suffering of its residents.

Contrary to what was proposed months ago about a preliminary agreement between Fatah and Hamas to form a national consensus government, this matter was apparently met with a veto from Israel and behind it the United States, which insists on its refusal to participate in Hamas in any formula for managing the affairs of Gaza. An alternative was proposed, and an agreement was reached to form a “community support committee” to manage the affairs of the Strip, without an official announcement of its formation until yesterday, or whether it will carry out its work while the occupation of the Strip continues or after the withdrawal of the occupation army from it, and other details.

Analysts and writers spoke to “Y” about the importance of the timing of the announcement of the formation of this committee, as a Palestinian attempt to block the path of non-Palestinian alternatives that may be imposed on the Strip, and that the committee may be a compromise solution to deal with the circumstances imposed by the recent Israeli war.

A kind of concession to form a national unity government

Hani Al-Masri, Director General of the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies - Masarat, said that according to media sources, the Fatah and Hamas movements agreed in Cairo to form a community support committee to manage the Gaza Strip, formed by a decree from the president.

He pointed out that its reference is not clear yet. Is it the Palestinian government? Or is it communicating with the government and coordinating with it? As well as the status of the governing institutions, including the security that existed in the Gaza Strip. An "international fund for the reconstruction of Gaza will be formed, supervised by donor countries and in which a representative of the Palestinian Ministry of Finance will participate."

Al-Masry stressed that the agreement has not been officially announced because the Fatah delegation will present the matter to the president, and this indicates either the existence of points of contention or most likely that the president will try to market the agreement to the Arab and international levels, noting that the most important thing is the American and Israeli; it has no value if it does not find acceptance, especially after the news of the existence of American efforts at the highest levels to form a committee to administer Gaza that has no connection to the Authority or Hamas, and will be armed and accompanied by a multi-national Arab force with the participation of American forces.

He considered that the committee included a kind of concession regarding the formation of a national unity government, a concession regarding control over the Gaza Strip, and a kind of acceptance of what Israel wants in some aspects, and the United States of America without anything in return.

Al-Masry wondered if there was approval for a comprehensive agreement that includes stopping the war of extermination and withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. Would the committee work under occupation, for example? I think the matter is still unclear, and I think it will not see the light.

Reaching a comprehensive agreement is extremely complex.

In turn, Ali Al-Awar, a specialist in resolving regional and international conflicts, said that the current developments in the Palestinian scene, especially the Fatah and Hamas talks in Cairo, reflect a change in the data compared to previous rounds.

He pointed out that the current political and field challenges make reaching a comprehensive agreement extremely complicated.

He added that Hamas is more convinced than ever of the necessity of political and social partnership with the Palestinian Authority, but it is still determined to maintain its presence and role in the Gaza Strip.

He continued: Despite Fatah's desire to regain full control over the Strip, it does not seem prepared to make major concessions to Hamas.

Al-Awar pointed out that the talk about the community support committee that was proposed as part of the negotiations reflects an attempt to overcome political complexities by addressing community issues, but it is a step that may marginalize the Palestinian cause.

He said: "The Palestinian issue, and the genocide and ethnic cleansing to which our people are being subjected, cannot be reduced to merely distributing humanitarian aid. The issue is much bigger and requires real political solutions."

Al-Awar stressed that the current situation requires the formation of a national unity government as an alternative to the current government, capable of facing political and field challenges.

Gaza catastrophe requires national entitlements that go beyond temporary solutions

He pointed out that the recent events in Gaza represent a new catastrophe that requires national entitlements that go beyond temporary or partial solutions.

He added: Fatah and Hamas must once again seriously consider the future of the Palestinian cause.

He referred to talk of a presidential decree issued by President Mahmoud Abbas appointing Rawhi Fattouh as Vice President, considering this a step towards new political arrangements within the Palestine Liberation Organization and in the occupied territories, which may be a prelude to the president’s exit from the political scene or the gradual transfer of power.

Al-Awar expected that the re-election of Donald Trump would lead to the introduction of new political arrangements on the Palestinian scene, especially with his control over the tools of pressure on Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He called on the Palestinian parties to exploit this stage to unify ranks and pressure for a ceasefire, and to protect the Palestinian people from the genocide that some Israeli generals acknowledge.

Al-Awar stressed that the Palestinian issue will remain a political issue par excellence, related to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, stressing that addressing humanitarian and administrative issues, such as managing the Rafah crossing or distributing aid, must be part of a comprehensive vision for a just political solution.

The committee is much less than a government and is loose in its relations.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Rafiq Awad, Head of the Center for Future Studies at Al-Quds University, said that the Community Support Committee represents an Egyptian and Palestinian attempt to deal with the difficult conditions left by the war on the Gaza Strip, which led to widespread destruction and comprehensive devastation, in addition to transforming two million Palestinians into a state of poverty, disease and siege, in light of an extremely uncertain and worrying future.

Awad pointed out that this committee, if formed, would be much less than a government, and would be characterised by a loose nature in its relations with various parties, including the Palestinian Authority.

He added that the committee may be vague regarding its powers and the limits of its work, whether in time or place.

He explained that the formation of the committee represents an attempt to circumvent Israeli and American restrictions, which oppose the existence of Hamas or any central Palestinian authority running the Strip, as Israel explicitly rejects what it calls "Hamastan" or "Fatahstan."

He considered that the committee might be a compromise solution to deal with the circumstances imposed by the recent Israeli war.

Awad praised the Egyptian efforts aimed at forming a Palestinian body acceptable at the international and regional levels, capable of overcoming Israeli and American pressures and prohibitions.

Managing sector affairs quickly and practically

He added that these efforts come under compelling circumstances imposed by the war, and that the main goal of the committee is to manage the affairs of the sector quickly and practically, without waiting for the achievement of Palestinian reconciliation or the formation of a new government.

Awad stressed that forming the committee is not an easy matter, as it requires Palestinian, Arab and international approvals, which makes its birth a complex and challenging process.

He explained that the committee's work will be governed by many circumstances, including Israeli restrictions and narrow political margins, which makes it likely to fail.

Despite the expected difficulties, Awad stressed the importance of the committee, noting that it represents an acceptable Palestinian solution, especially since the Palestinian factions seem to agree on it.

He added: The compelling circumstances impose the need for a body to manage the sector, bring in aid, and care for the daily affairs of citizens.

Awad concluded his speech by stressing that the formation of the committee, despite the difficulties and challenges, represents a necessary and important step to deal with the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

He said: "We hope that the committee will succeed in light of the harsh circumstances, because it represents a glimmer of hope to alleviate the suffering of the population and manage the affairs of the sector at this critical stage."

Fears of Israel being exempted from its legal responsibilities

For his part, political analyst Dr. Ghassan Al-Khatib said: What is being circulated about an agreement between the Fatah and Hamas movements is still in the draft stage under review, pointing out the absence of any official announcement from the two parties regarding reaching a final agreement.

He added: "So far, what is being circulated are only leaks and press information, not official statements."

Al-Khatib explained that the draft circulated by the media raises fundamental questions about the nature of the work of the joint committee to be formed, pointing to a pivotal point, which is the work of the committee under the Israeli military occupation.

Al-Khatib wondered about the possibility of the committee working on civil affairs under the current occupation in the Gaza Strip, expressing his fear that this would lead to providing a service to Israel, by exempting it from its international legal responsibilities as an occupying power responsible for providing civil services to the population under its occupation.

Al-Khatib pointed out that the draft did not address important issues related to the security aspect and the task of maintaining law and order, which are essential aspects of any agreement. He said: “These issues cannot be ignored, because achieving stability on the ground depends largely on the existence of clear mechanisms for maintaining security and order.”

Al-Khatib stressed that the success of this committee will be difficult in light of the continued occupation.

An important step to alleviate the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip

In turn, the Jerusalemite political analyst Rasem Obeidat said: The formation of a committee to manage humanitarian and service affairs in the Gaza Strip represents an important step towards alleviating the suffering of the population and reorganizing the humanitarian situation in the Strip.

He explained that the committee, which is expected to be headed by the Palestinian government, will focus on the areas of reconstruction, education, health and the entry of aid.

Obaidat pointed out that if the committee is able to carry out its tasks according to a unified Palestinian vision, it may constitute an important development in addressing the humanitarian and service crises in the Strip.

However, he stressed that the success of this project depends largely on internal Palestinian consensus among the various forces, in addition to overcoming the challenges imposed by the Israeli occupation.

Obaidat stressed that the Israeli occupation opposes any steps that would strengthen the Palestinian administration in Gaza. He pointed to several obstacles that the occupation is working to impose: First: thwarting Palestinian efforts, as the occupation seeks to undermine any committee working to organize the sector by imposing measures that hinder its work.

Second: Geographical separation, whereby the occupation aims to divide the Strip geographically by imposing a long-term military administration. Third: Replacing Palestinian alternatives, whereby the occupation seeks to replace a civil administration subject to it or international administrations supported by regional or international parties as an alternative to the Palestinian Committee.

The success of the committee's work requires internal Palestinian consensus.

Obaidat pointed out that the chances of the committee's success depend on: First: achieving internal Palestinian consensus, so the Palestinian forces must agree on a clear framework for the committee's work, ensuring the prevention of external interference. Second: concluding field agreements, as Obaidat indicated that a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal could provide a positive climate that would allow the committee to work efficiently. Third: managing sensitive files such as the entry of aid, reconstruction, and resolving pending issues in a way that reflects the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Obaidat said that the timing of the announcement of the formation of the committee carries important political implications, as it comes within the framework of Palestinian attempts to block the path of non-Palestinian alternatives that may be imposed on the Strip.

He stressed that Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza and its unity with the rest of the Palestinian territories, especially Jerusalem, must be a top priority to confront attempts at separation or imposing international guardianship.

Obeidat concluded his speech by pointing out that the success of this committee will depend on unifying internal Palestinian efforts and confronting Israeli and regional challenges.

Obaidat stressed that collective action is necessary to preserve Palestinian sovereignty and block plans that aim to undermine the unity of the Palestinian land and people.