A senior Hamas official on Thursday welcomed the creation of a technocratic committee to govern post-war Gaza, describing it as a crucial step toward consolidating the ceasefire and preventing a return to armed conflict.

Egypt, acting as a mediator in the indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, announced the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee. This body is designed to operate under the supervision of a so-called “Board of Peace,” which is expected to be chaired by US President Donald Trump.

Bassem Naim, a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement, said, “The formation of the committee is a step in the right direction. This is crucial for consolidating the ceasefire, preventing a return to war, addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and preparing for comprehensive reconstruction.”

Hamas has maintained full control over public life in Gaza since 2007. The group’s October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the subsequent Gaza war. Despite its influence, Hamas has repeatedly stated that it does not seek a formal role in any future governing authority in Gaza and intends to limit its involvement to overseeing governance.

Naim emphasized Hamas’ willingness to cooperate with the national transitional committee. “The ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor, and the international community to empower the committee,” he said. He also urged these stakeholders to counter what he described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to “stall or obstruct” the next stages of the ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Gaza has been divided by a so-called “Yellow Line,” which marks the boundary between areas controlled by Hamas and those under Israeli military authority.

Washington’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Wednesday that the ceasefire had entered its second stage. Key elements of this stage include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the demilitarization of the territory including Hamas’ disarmament, and measures to address the humanitarian crisis through accelerated aid deliveries and reconstruction.

The US-proposed Board of Peace is expected to be led on the ground by Bulgarian diplomat and politician Nickolay Mladenov, who has recently held talks with both Israeli and Palestinian officials. Mladenov previously served as the United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process from early 2015 until the end of 2020.

Media reports indicate that President Trump is expected to announce the members of the Board of Peace in the coming days. The body is anticipated to include approximately 15 world leaders, tasked with overseeing Gaza’s post-war governance and reconstruction.

This initiative marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to stabilize Gaza, manage humanitarian needs, and prevent a resurgence of conflict in the region.