While the Palestinian transitional committee, which will assume administration of the Gaza Strip, held its first meeting today in Cairo according to Egyptian media reports, the Israeli military announced it conducted airstrikes yesterday in the Palestinian enclave. According to reports, the strikes were carried out in response to attacks that occurred earlier this week against Israeli soldiers.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump announced that the so-called peace council for the Gaza Strip has been “formed,” describing it as a crucial step within the American plan for the future of the Palestinian enclave.
According to related announcements, this council will be responsible for overseeing a temporary Palestinian committee consisting of 15 apolitical technocrats who will take over management of daily administrative affairs in Gaza.
Former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Saath was appointed as head of the Gaza Strip administration committee. Ali Saath is a civil engineer and former senior public official who is called upon to undertake the difficult task of organizing the first phase of reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory.
Gaza: Housing issue critical after destruction of 85% of homes
Reconstruction efforts “will be based mainly” on Egypt’s Arab-Islamic plan, Saath said in an interview with Al-Qahera News, an Egyptian state media outlet.
“The housing issue is critical after the destruction of 85% of homes,” Saath emphasized, highlighting the need to restore “the dignity of Palestinian citizens sitting in tents that are swept away by the wind.”
Today, Hamas for its part accused Israel of “further violation” of the ceasefire with these raids, which killed at least seven people according to Gaza Civil Defense.
As implementation of the second phase of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began, according to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire declared in the Gaza Strip on October 10.
IDF announces strikes against Hamas
Today, the Israeli military said it struck “terrorists, including commanders” of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestinian territory yesterday.
At least six people lost their lives due to Israeli bombardments in Deir al-Balah, in the central part of Gaza, according to local health authorities. Palestinian media reported that among the dead is a commander of Hamas’s armed wing, Mohammed al-Holi.
The military said it acted in response to a “flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement earlier this week west of Rafah,” during which individuals “opened fire against Israeli troops.”
