Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Palestinian political factions and national forces convened in Cairo this week for high-level talks aimed at unifying the Palestinian national position and advancing the next phase of efforts to stabilize the Gaza Strip following months of devastating conflict. The meeting, held at the invitation of the Arab Republic of Egypt and under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, comes amid renewed regional and international mediation to consolidate a ceasefire and address the humanitarian and political fallout of the war in Gaza.
According to a joint statement issued after the talks, participants emphasized the urgency of moving forward with what they described as the second phase of the ceasefire arrangements in Gaza. The Cairo meeting was framed as part of broader mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, which have played central roles in facilitating dialogue between Palestinian parties and international stakeholders. The factions linked these efforts to a wider international initiative aimed at halting the fighting and laying the groundwork for recovery and reconstruction in the enclave.
In their statement, the Palestinian factions expressed appreciation for the role played by international and regional mediators, as well as for U.S. engagement in supporting an end to the conflict and alleviating civilian suffering in Gaza. They reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the ceasefire and to continuing cooperation on subsequent stages of the agreed framework, which is intended to move Gaza from emergency response toward stabilization and longer-term recovery.
A central outcome of the Cairo talks was collective support for the formation of a Palestinian National Transitional Committee to administer Gaza during an interim period. The factions said such a body would be tasked with assuming full responsibility for civil administration, public services, and daily governance in the territory. They stressed the need to create suitable political and security conditions to allow the committee to begin work immediately, in coordination with an internationally backed Peace Council and its executive mechanisms, which would oversee the acceptance, management, and implementation of Gaza’s reconstruction projects.
The statement also called on mediators and international partners to intensify pressure on Israel to halt military operations, withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip, reopen border crossings, and allow the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid across all areas of the territory. Palestinian leaders argued that these steps are essential to restoring calm, enabling displaced residents to return to their homes, and creating the conditions necessary for early recovery and large-scale reconstruction.
Beyond Gaza, the meeting underscored a broader political agenda. The factions pledged to continue efforts to harmonize Palestinian positions in order to navigate what they described as a critical and dangerous phase for the Palestinian cause. They emphasized the importance of restoring unity within the Palestinian political system and safeguarding an independent national decision-making process. The statement warned against ongoing Israeli settlement expansion, proposed annexation measures in the occupied West Bank, and violations affecting religious holy sites in Jerusalem, reiterating the long-standing demand for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Regional analysts note that Egypt’s hosting of the talks reflects Cairo’s longstanding role as a key broker in Palestinian affairs and a central player in Gaza-related negotiations. The involvement of multiple mediators also highlights the increasingly multilateral nature of efforts to manage the conflict’s aftermath, as humanitarian agencies warn of severe needs in Gaza and donor countries weigh the political conditions for reconstruction assistance.
The meeting concluded with formal thanks to Egypt, President el-Sisi, and the mediating parties for their continued support of the Palestinian cause. Whether the commitments outlined in Cairo translate into concrete political change on the ground will depend on the durability of the ceasefire, the willingness of international actors to back transitional governance arrangements, and the ability of Palestinian factions to sustain unity amid deep internal and external challenges.
