Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
At the invitation of Egypt and under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, several Palestinian factions convened in Cairo to discuss recent developments in the Palestinian issue and to deliberate on the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza. The meeting came as part of ongoing regional and international efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to consolidate the ceasefire and address the humanitarian and political repercussions of the conflict, following the “Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit” held in October 2025.
In a joint statement released at the conclusion of the meeting, the participating factions expressed deep appreciation for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in Gaza and across the diaspora, saluting the martyrs, prisoners, and wounded. They underscored the need to continue all efforts aimed at ending the suffering of Palestinians and achieving a just and secure future for their national cause.
The factions also voiced gratitude for ongoing Arab, Islamic, and international mediation efforts, including those attributed to President Trump’s proposal for a permanent cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The statement emphasized that the current stage requires a unified national stance and a cohesive political vision rooted in shared destiny, rejecting all forms of annexation and forced displacement in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
The factions condemned the Israeli parliament’s preliminary approval of a bill to apply “Israeli sovereignty” over the West Bank, describing it as a grave assault on Palestinian identity and existence. They praised President Trump’s reported intervention to halt the move and his pledge to prevent its recurrence.
Reaffirming that national unity remains the “decisive response” to Israeli policies, the factions agreed to intensify efforts to restore Palestinian cohesion and rebuild a unified national framework.
The Cairo statement also called for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the total lifting of the blockade, the reopening of all crossings particularly Rafah and the unhindered entry of humanitarian and medical aid. It further called for launching a comprehensive reconstruction plan to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure and restore normal life to the war-torn enclave.
A key outcome of the meeting was consensus on transferring Gaza’s civil administration to a temporary Palestinian committee composed of independent technocrats from within the Strip. This body would be tasked with managing essential services and daily governance in coordination with Arab partners and international organizations, guided by principles of transparency and national accountability.
The factions also proposed the formation of an international committee to supervise funding and implementation of the reconstruction process, while reaffirming the unity of the Palestinian political system and the principle of an independent national decision.
The participants agreed to take all necessary steps to ensure security and stability across the Gaza Strip and urged the United Nations to expedite the adoption of a resolution authorizing the deployment of a temporary UN monitoring mission to oversee the ceasefire.
They also called for an end to all forms of torture and abuse of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and demanded that Israel be held accountable under international law. The statement reaffirmed that the prisoners’ issue “will remain a top national priority until all detainees attain their freedom.”
The factions urged the convening of an urgent national meeting involving all Palestinian movements and forces to agree on a comprehensive strategy for confronting current challenges and revitalizing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, ensuring the inclusion of all active political and social components.
Concluding their statement, the factions described the Cairo meeting as a “turning point” toward genuine national unity, vowing to defend the Palestinian people’s right to life, dignity, and freedom, and to preserve the national cause for future generations. They reiterated their commitment to the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The participants expressed their “deep appreciation” to Egypt and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for their leadership and tireless mediation efforts, as well as to the Qatari and Turkish mediators for their role in supporting the Palestinian cause and advancing peace efforts.
