Hamas's Hayya says factions agree on post-war Gaza governance framework
The leader of Hamas's Gaza branch, Khalil al-Hayya, has said that the movement has reached an agreement with Palestinian factions, including Fatah, on the framework for post-war governance.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, Hayya confirmed that Hamas had agreed to a list presented of national figures with no political affiliation to form a committee to manage Gaza's affairs.
He stated that Hamas is ready to hand over full control, including security, to the committee.
Hayya also emphasised that Hamas had no objections to any national figure residing in Gaza taking charge of the administration.
He added that Hamas would not interfere in the committee's work but called for its swift establishment.
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The committee's mandate would end when general elections are held or a Palestinian unity government is formed, he said. He added that Hamas aims to work towards elections as a way to reunite the Palestinian people under a single government.
Meanwhile, Fatah, Hamas's main political rival, denied agreeing to the leadership of the post-war governance committee.
Fatah spokesperson Abdel Fattah Dula, in a statement reported by the official news agency Wafa, reiterated that the head of the committee should be a minister from the Palestinian Authority.
Hayya also confirmed that Palestinian factions agreed to allow an international force to secure Gaza's borders, monitor the ceasefire and ensure neither side violates it.
He welcomed the inclusion of Arab and Muslim forces in this international mission but insisted that their role would be limited to border security and ceasefire monitoring, with no operations inside Gaza.
He also called for a UN resolution to support the deployment of international forces.
Additionally, Hayya stated that factions had agreed to establish an international body focused on reconstruction, tasked with securing funds and overseeing the implementation of rebuilding projects.
Retrieving captives
On the issue of arms, Hayya reiterated that Hamas's arsenal is directly linked to the ongoing Israeli occupation. Once the occupation ends, he said, the weapons would be handed over to the Palestinian state.
He added that the matter is still under discussion with Palestinian factions and intermediaries.
Regarding the ceasefire with Israel, Hayya noted that US officials' comments suggest the war is over.
However, since the ceasefire took effect, Israel has repeatedly violated it, killing more than 93 people in various attacks.
Israel has also maintained restrictions on aid entry and kept the Rafah crossing with Egypt closed.
Israel has cited the slow return of Israeli captives' bodies by Hamas as the justification for these violations.
Hayya explained that locating the bodies of Israeli captives has been difficult due to the extensive bombardment that altered Gaza's terrain.
He added that some of those who buried the bodies have since been killed, making their locations unknown.
Thirteen dead captives remain buried in Gaza.
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