Hamas, Fatah agree joint committee to run post-war Gaza

CAIRO, Dec 3: Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party have agreed to create a committee to jointly administer post-war Gaza, negotiators from both sides said Tuesday.

Under the plan, which needs Abbas's approval, the committee would be composed of 10 to 15 non-partisan figures with authority on matters related to the economy, education, health, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, according to a draft of the proposal seen by AFP.

Following talks in Cairo brokered by Egypt, the two rival Palestinian movements agreed the committee would administer the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the territory's only one not shared with Israel.
Fatah's delegation, led by central party committee member Azzam al-Ahmad, will return to Ramallah Tuesday to seek Abbas's final approval, the negotiators told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Wassil Abu Yussef, member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation which includes Fatah, will convene later Tuesday to decide whether to approve the committee arrangement or not.

Hamas's delegation was led by politburo member Khalil al-Hayya.

However, Jibril Rajoub, Fatah's number three and secretary-general of its central committee, expressed doubts the deal would ever get over the line.

"What committee is this? It is wrong to even discuss this issue," Rajoub told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah Tuesday, adding it would bring "division".

Rajoub said that he did not favour any deal that would lead to separate political systems in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank, which Fatah rules under the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority.

"We want one government, one security apparatus, and one unified policy. Any discussion or effort outside of this framework is a mistake," he said. �AFP

"We will not be part of any step that entrenches division or aligns with the path Netanyahu desires," he added.

Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian political analyst and former minister and diplomat, also expressed doubts.

"Gaza is now under complete Israeli control, and there is little significance for any arrangement that does not take into consideration the Israeli presence there," he told AFP.

Should the agreement actually be implemented, he said its value would depend on whether Israel maintains a military presence in the Gaza Strip. �AFP