Egypt proposes temporary administration of Gaza after the end of the war
Egypt has shown its willingness to take on a role in the Palestinian peace process through the possible deployment of an international force in the Gaza Strip backed by a UN Security Council resolution.
‘We are ready to assist and contribute to any joint international force deployed in Gaza,’ said Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati. He explained that the conditions for this initiative are that it must be based on a UN Security Council resolution and be part of a political framework.
The decision came alongside the announcement of the future Gaza Strip Administration Committee by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa. This measure aims to reactivate the state and government institutions of the territory, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plan to establish total control over the Gaza Strip, which some interpret as part of a ‘Greater Israel’ vision.
As a result, a temporary technocratic government is expected to be formed to administer the territory under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority and thus remove Hamas from power. This government will be led by the Gaza Strip Administration Committee.
According to experts, Cairo's goal is to seek a diplomatic solution with measures such as sending forces to replace Hamas once the war is over, since, as the Al-Arab media outlet indicated, ‘no one else is more likely to be an active player in these forces than Egypt.’
In addition, it is acting to support the Palestinian Authority and pave the way for recovery that will benefit Egyptian national security.
According to Palestinian reports, Mohamed Mustafa visited Egypt to organise the tasks of the Gaza Strip Administration Committee once the war ends. Initially, the institution's powers will be civil and security under the direction of the Palestinian Authority's deputy prime minister.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Palestinian Prime Minister and the Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al-Thani, have assured that they reject any attempt to occupy or displace Palestinian territory.
According to the Israeli media outlet Kan, Cairo has also proposed recovering Hamas' entire arsenal and keeping it in storage for an indefinite period as an administrative measure. This idea represents a middle ground between Israel's demand to demilitarise the terrorist group and the armed group's refusal to give up its weapons.
Furthermore, according to Egyptian intelligence chief Diaa Rashwan, Egypt, together with Qatar, has managed to get Hamas to accept its ceasefire proposal, inspired by a plan previously proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Egyptian authorities are taking advantage of the turmoil caused by the humanitarian crisis and its geopolitical situation to fight against marginalisation and force Israel to allow aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
With these efforts, Cairo is reaffirming its key role in the Palestinian peace process as an Arab country and direct neighbour.
