U.S.-Backed Gaza Governance Effort Faces Israeli Objections as Palestinian Panel Holds First Meeting

Overview

• A Palestinian national committee led by Ali Shaat convened in Cairo, issued an initial declaration, and published a 12-member roster covering economy, services, and internal security.
• Israel’s prime minister’s office said the committee’s announcement was not coordinated with Israel and contradicts its policy, and it directed the foreign minister to raise the issue with the U.S. secretary of state.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he looks forward to working with Shaat and the national committee on Gaza’s future.
• Nikolay Mladenov, the Council of Peace’s high representative, set immediate humanitarian assistance and restoration of basic services as priorities during the ceasefire’s second phase, calling for exclusive control of weapons by lawful authorities.
• Greece’s foreign minister said Athens received an invitation from President Donald Trump to join the Council of Peace, while Qatar appointed adviser Ali az-Zawadi as its representative to the executive council.