CAIRO, 15 Jan. - (ANA) - The newly-formed Palestinian committee slated to replace Hamas in Gaza will hold its first meeting at the US embassy in Cairo on Thursday, as the Trump administration accelerates efforts to permanently end Israel's devastating war on the shattered territory.

 

The 15-member panel will meet with Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, who is expected to head the new authority's executive committee, Palestinian sources have told The New Arab's Arabic edition, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

 

The meeting comes hours after the Trump administration declared the beginning of the second phase of the ceasefire, which is supposed to kick-start Gaza's reconstruction, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the disarmament of Hamas.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, Egypt announced the formation of the committee, which will be tasked with the day-to-day running of the strip.

 

The body, which is comprised of independent experts and civil society figures from Gaza, will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority.

 

 

It also includes the head of the territory's chamber of commerce, Ayed Abu Ramadan, and Mohammed Bseiso, a prominent lawyer.

 

"Phase Two … begins the full demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorised personnel," US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said in a post on X.

 

He threatened Hamas with "serious consequences" for failing to surrender its weapons but did not mention Israel's obligations under the deal.

 

Hamas has pledged to step down following the formation of the committee, ceding power after almost two decades of ruling the strip.

 

A Hamas spokesperson welcomed the US announcement as an "important and positive development" and said the group was ready to begin discussions about handing over power and the future of its weapons.

 

It was not immediately clear whether Hamas officials currently in Cairo planned to meet with the committee.

 

The announcement is hoped to inject new momentum into a fragile ceasefire process clouded by uncertainty.

 

Efforts to form an international security force have stalled amid constant Israeli strikes during the ceasefire and concerns about the scope of its mission.

 

Arab officials have said they are unwilling to deploy troops to assist with Hamas's disarmament.

 

Meanwhile, Israel has kept up near-daily attacks during the three-month truce, killing at least 449 Palestinians and injuring 1,246 others, according to the local health ministry.

 

Israel has retained control over more than half of Gaza and refuses to pull out its forces until Hamas agrees to all its conditions, including its full disarmament and exile from the strip.

 

Hamas has long refused to surrender its weapons until Israel agrees to the establishment of a Palestinian state, but some officials in recent weeks have signalled they may be willing to hand them over to an Arab or Palestinian force.

 

Further progress is expected in the coming days when the US announces the executive committee and the world leaders sitting on the 'Board of Peace'.

 

The board will be led by the US president and could include the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, the UK, Germany, France and Italy, according to Axios.

 

Its first meeting may take place at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos later in January.

 

The executive committee, led by Mladenov, will be responsible for making key decisions over Gaza's future, including its reconstruction, security, and political transition.

 

The Palestinian-led body will not have independent decision-making powers and will instead be tasked with delivering services and carrying out the executive committee's directives.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/15 January 2026 - - -