Explainer: Committee formed to administer Gaza amid uncertainties, obstacles

Beyond administrative challenges, analysts said that whether Hamas will disarm and whether Israeli forces will withdraw from the Gaza Strip remain the two central questions facing the peace process, with no significant progress on either front.

GAZA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian technocratic committee was formed on Wednesday to temporarily administer the post-war Gaza Strip, as the U.S. administration announced the launch of the second phase of its Gaza peace plan.

The ceasefire in Gaza has reached another critical juncture, offering signs of progress while leaving major obstacles unresolved. Analysts note that the newly formed committee may face difficulties in operating effectively amid deep political constraints.

PALESTINIAN SUPPORT

Hamas on Thursday reaffirmed its readiness to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to the committee and to facilitate its mission.

It called the formation of the committee "an important step in implementing the agreement and a step in the right direction, both in terms of consolidating the ceasefire and avoiding a return to war, and in terms of alleviating the catastrophic humanitarian crisis and paving the way for comprehensive reconstruction."

The Palestinian presidency on Wednesday announced its support for the committee, emphasizing the importance of linking institutions in the West Bank and Gaza and rejecting the establishment of parallel administrative, legal, or security systems that could deepen division.

"It can not be said that what existed in the Gaza Strip during the war was a government; rather, it can be described as a committee for running citizens' day-to-day affairs. What actually operated on the ground in Gaza during the war were municipalities and similar working committees," Mustafa Ibrahim, a political analyst from Gaza, told Xinhua.

Analysts said that after being weakened both militarily and politically, Hamas lacks both the capacity and conditions to govern Gaza in the post-war period.

"Hamas can not, under any circumstances, be capable of governing or administering the Gaza Strip after the devastating war that lasted for two years. The challenge is far greater than Hamas's capacities and those of its regional allies," Palestinian political analyst Nazzal Nazzal told Xinhua.

Raed Al-Debiy, a scholar from An-Najah National University in the West Bank, told Xinhua that "Hamas has very limited options. Relinquishing its rule is a clear component of the ceasefire agreement imposed by the U.S. administration and accepted by the movement as a result of the outcomes of the war and explicit pressure from Hamas's allies."

"Hamas must agree to step down from governance amid the suffocating humanitarian crisis and the absence of all basic services in the Gaza Strip. Without this step, it is not possible to alleviate the suffering of the population or achieve even relative stability," Al-Debiy added.

UNCERTAINTY REMAINS

Headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, a veteran engineer and former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority, the technocratic committee consists of 15 members. It will oversee key sectors including health, education, justice and civil services.

"This committee was formed as part of a transitional phase, and its tasks are service-oriented, covering agriculture, health and education. It is still unclear to what extent the committee will be able to carry out all these tasks without financial budgets or a security force to protect it," Ibrahim said.

"I believe the responsibilities are heavy and remain unclear, and there is ambiguity surrounding many issues, such as reconstruction and the management of the Rafah crossing," Ibrahim added.

Despite political backing, questions persist over the committee's authority, resources and ability to function under continued occupation and internal divisions.

"Challenges facing the committee are immense, foremost among them the continuation of Israeli control, in addition to Hamas's position and whatever power or weaponry it may retain, which could hinder the committee's work," Palestinian political analyst Akram Atallah told Xinhua.

"Moreover, Israel shows no real intention of withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, meaning that obstacles imposed by Israel will be far greater than internal ones," Atallah said.

Al-Debiy said that "the committee has no political authority and mandate to speak on ending the (Israeli) occupation or achieving self-determination. Rather, it is a body tasked with managing daily life in Gaza."

"This is important and a top priority, but there is concern that the committee could become permanent, which would lead to the marginalization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the evasion of the core issue: ending the (Israeli) occupation, withdrawing Israeli forces, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip," Al-Debiy said.

OBSTACLES AHEAD

Beyond administrative challenges, analysts said that whether Hamas will disarm and whether Israeli forces will withdraw from the Gaza Strip remain the two central questions facing the peace process, with no significant progress on either front.

Clarifying the movement's position, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said on Wednesday that "Hamas is ready to engage in internal Palestinian discussions on the issue of resistance weapons. The movement's priority now is to begin a genuine relief effort to save cities in the Gaza Strip."

"To date, Hamas continues to maneuver on this (disarmament) issue. What remains in its hands are individual weapons held by its members. Therefore, even if the political leadership were to decide to hand over weapons, I doubt that this could be implemented precisely, and Israel may use this as a pretext to obstruct the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip," Al-Debiy said.

Analysts said an Israeli withdrawal was unlikely under the current government.

"I do not expect the Israeli army to withdraw from Gaza under the current government led by Netanyahu; it will continue to control areas within the strip," Al-Debiy said.

"Hamas wants the second phase to be comprehensive. Its main priorities are a comprehensive ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. These two issues are political in nature, and Netanyahu will not engage with them, as doing so would cost him the support of the Israeli public and the right wing in the upcoming elections," Nazzal said.

Analysts noted that regarding the positions of Hamas and Israel on the second phase, neither side has appeared genuinely inclined to move toward its implementation.

"In reality, the parties driving efforts toward the second phase are the United States and the mediators, while both Hamas and Israel remain hesitant. Each side has its own reservations," Atallah said. "I believe that the issue of disarmament or dismantling armed capabilities will constitute a central crisis in the coming phase."■