Palestinian officials report that Fatah and Hamas are nearing an agreement to establish a committee of politically neutral technocrats to manage Gaza following the ongoing war. This arrangement would effectively end Hamas' rule in Gaza and potentially aid ceasefire discussions with Israel. The two factions have a history of unsuccessful reconciliation attempts since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. Israel has dismissed any role for either Hamas or Fatah in Gaza's postwar administration, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizing ongoing Israeli security control over the region and the return of hostages as priorities. Syrian insurgents advance toward Hama as govt forces counterattack A Palestinian Authority official confirmed that preliminary consensus on the committee's formation was reached after weeks of negotiations in Cairo. The proposed body, comprising 12-15 members primarily from Gaza, would report to the Palestinian Authority and coordinate humanitarian and reconstruction efforts with local and international actors. Hamas and Fatah have agreed on broad terms but are still negotiating details, including committee member selection. An announcement is expected after a meeting of all Palestinian factions in Cairo, though no timeline has been provided. Both Palestinian and Israeli officials have avoided public comment on the matter. The U.S. supports reviving the Palestinian Authority's governance over both Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward statehood, though Israel opposes such an outcome. Meanwhile, some Fatah leaders criticize the proposal, with Jibril Rajoub warning it could deepen divisions between Gaza and the West Bank. Syria sends in reinforcements to halt insurgents from advancing after seizing Aleppo The committee's work would begin after a ceasefire agreement, which has faced repeated delays despite mediation efforts by American and Arab diplomats. The conflict escalated after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 people dead and led to the abduction of 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has devastated Gaza, resulting in over 44,000 Palestinian deaths, largely women and children, according to local health authorities.

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah Party on Friday rejected the Israeli threats to storm Palestinian cities and towns in the northern West Bank. The two groups' rejection came after the Chief of General Staff of the Israeli army Aviv Kochavi gave instructions to intensify preventive measures in the northern West Bank and strengthen defense efforts in the seam area. In a statement, Osama al-Qawasmi, the Fatah spokesman in the West Bank, said, "Israel is totally mistaken if it thinks that the security iron fist is the solution," adding that the experiences have proven the failure of security solutions. Also Read: Israel-Palestine conflict: China calls for UN council action, slams US On Friday, Israeli media reports said that Kochavi gave the order to enhance the army's readiness on all fronts, mainly the Palestinian front, following the killing of two Israelis in a shooting attack in Tel Aviv in central Israel on Thursday. Hamas spokesman in Gaza Fawzi Barhoum said, "The Israeli threats to the cities of the northern West Bank, especially to Jenin city and its residents, will not break the will of the city's free youths to carry on their struggle." On Thursday night, Israeli media reported that at least two Israelis were killed and nine others were injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire at a restaurant and pedestrians in the center of Tel Aviv in central Israel. Also Read: ‘Free Palestine’: Protesters in major US cities decry airstrikes over Gaza According to Israeli media, the assailant is a 28-year-old Palestinian man from the refugee camp of Jenin in the northern West Bank. He was reportedly killed in the old city of Jaffa nine hours after the attack.