Egyptian foreign minister: Members of post-war Gaza governing council have been selected

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the Associated Press (AP) on Monday that 15 technocrats have been chosen to serve on the administrative council that will govern the Gaza Strip.

Abdelatty did not reveal their names but noted that they were selected by all Palestinian factions, including Hamas. He said he believes the names of the individuals are currently being reviewed by Israel. He added that Hamas welcomes the Trump plan and noted that the terrorist organization will take no part in governing Gaza during the transitional period.

The agreement document between Israel and Hamas, recently revealed by Kan News, outlines the end of the war, without any commitments to disarm Hamas or demilitarize the Strip. The document deals with the first stage of the Trump framework, and according to various sources, it is still unclear how and when the second part – which includes Hamas’ disarmament, the exile of its senior officials, continued withdrawal of IDF forces, and the introduction of a multinational Arab force to administer Gaza – will be implemented.

Sources familiar with the details of the negotiations told Kan News that, so far, the parties have only signed the first phase of the agreement, and that the second phase of the plan “remains completely vague.” Israel clarified in the talks that there will be no negotiations on moving to the next stages of the plan until all the hostages are released – a stage that is currently delayed due to the crisis over the return of the remaining bodies of deceased Israeli hostages.

The sources added that U.S. President Trump “skipped over sections” of the plan and discussed only the first phase, which includes the withdrawal of IDF troops from deep inside the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages. According to these sources, the mediators in the talks between Israel and Hamas presented matters in such a way that each side “understands what it wants,” which may have enabled agreement on the first phase but opens the door to future problems in implementing the full plan.

Meanwhile, Hamas has already begun restoring its governmental capabilities in the Gaza Strip in recent days. The terrorist organization has informed the largest merchants in Gaza that it will soon resume its policy of collecting taxes on goods entering the Strip – exactly as it did before October 7. These are massive tax sums, through which Hamas would operate its rule in Gaza. This is another sign of its desire to return to power in the Strip.

At the same time, immediate reconstruction work in the Gaza Strip will begin as part of the agreement already signed, alongside the return of the living hostages to Israel. This includes vital and basic infrastructure such as paving roads, rehabilitating clinics and hospitals, rebuilding large bakeries, and similar facilities. The reconstruction will be carried out by the mediating countries and international organizations.