Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine have jointly declared their opposition to any external control over Gaza, emphasizing that the governance of the region is solely a Palestinian matter. While asserting their independence, the groups expressed willingness to accept Arab and international aid for the reconstruction of Gaza, emphasizing the importance of respecting Palestinian sovereignty and unity in any international involvement.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been implemented, marking a pause in the conflict that inflicted significant damage and displacement in Gaza. Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ leader in Gaza, confirmed receiving assurances from the United States to ensure a lasting end to the hostilities. Following the agreement, Israel has initiated the withdrawal of its troops to a specified boundary, as per the guidelines set by former US President Donald Trump.
As part of the ceasefire terms, Hamas is set to release 20 captives and the remains of deceased individuals within an agreed-upon timeframe. Plans indicate that the handover will occur in Israel early next week, with US envoy Steve Witkoff confirming the start of a 72-hour grace period for the exchange.
Amidst this progress, displaced Gazans are returning to their homes, facing the grim reality of their destroyed livelihoods. The United Nations has been granted permission by Israel to resume the distribution of aid, including 170,000 metric tons of supplies pre-positioned in neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt. The United States is dispatching around 200 troops to Israel to oversee the ceasefire and prisoner exchange operations.
While welcoming international assistance for rebuilding and humanitarian aid, the Palestinian factions stress that the governance of Gaza must remain an internal issue. Their position highlights the delicate balance they aim to strike between securing aid and retaining full Palestinian authority over the territory’s future.