Palestinian committee to run Gaza announces members, while Israel says they were not consulted

By Mohamed Majed and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ali Shaath, the head of the Palestinian National Committee tasked with administering the Gaza Strip, formally announced the names Saturday of the committee’s members.

He said work will begin from Cairo before relocating to Gaza to implement an urgent relief plan.

The announcement came one day after the White House confirmed the formation of the Board of Peace and approved the composition of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, one of four bodies designated to manage the territory’s transitional phase.

Israel said late on Saturday that it was not consulted on the announcement of a committee to administer the Gaza Strip, arguing the move runs counter to Israel’s positions and policies regarding the future of the enclave.

Netanyahu “has instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister (Gideon Saar) to contact the US Secretary of State on this matter,” the statement added.

Read: Netanyahu claims not consulted on Gaza committee

Speaking to Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera New, Shaath, who is an academic holding a doctorate in engineering, said he will chair the committee.

The committee includes engineer Ayed Abu Ramadan, assigned to the economy, trade and industry portfolio; Abdel Karim Ashour, agriculture; Ayed Yaghi, health; engineer Osama al-Saadawi, housing and land; and Adnan Abu Warda, justice, said Shaath.

He said Major General Sami Nasman was assigned to the interior and internal security file; Ali Barhoum will oversee municipalities and water; Bashir Al-Rayes finance; Hanaa Terzi social affairs; Jabr al-Daour education; and engineer Omar al-Shamali telecommunications.

He said the committee has adopted Egypt’s reconstruction and recovery plan for Gaza as the basis of its work. The plan, launched by Cairo in March and adopted by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has been welcomed by several international actors, including the EU, he said.

The plan begins with an emergency shelter phase, providing temporary housing until homes destroyed in the Israeli onslaught are rebuilt, he added, noting that the tents are inadequate and prefabricated housing units need to be brought in through the Rafah crossing under a coordinated plan with Egypt.

Opening the crossing tops the committee’s priorities, said Shaath, calling it Gaza’s most vital lifeline for humanitarian aid, essential goods and civilian movement.

Israel has kept the crossing closed since taking military control of it in May 2024, allowing only limited humanitarian assistance. Shaath’s toughest challenge will be to ensure Israel does not undermine the work of the committee. Since the ceasefire, Israel has delivered on any of its deliverables, instead continuing its killing spree throughout Gaza.

Shaath said early shelter efforts will be accompanied by restoring basic services, particularly health and education.

The committee operates under President Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which was adopted by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2803 on November 17. Under the resolution, the committee is a nonpolitical body responsible for managing daily civil-service affairs and is composed of 11 Palestinian national figures in addition to its chair.

The committee has not yet begun operating inside Gaza. But the Palestine resistance group, Hamas, said it will facilitate the handover process and support the success of the independent committee.

Palestinians have accused Israel of repeatedly violating an October 10 ceasefire that halted the genocidal war that has killed more than 71 000 victims, most of them women and children, and injured over 171 000 since October 2023.

At least 464 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 1 280 others injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire, according to the Health Ministry.