Palestinian technocratic committee begins Cairo talks to administer Gaza

All 15 members of a newly formed Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with administering the Gaza Strip have arrived in Cairo, capital of Egypt, and begun meetings in preparation for their entry into the enclave, Egypt's state-run Al-Qahera News channel reported on Thursday.

The committee, headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, a veteran engineer and former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority, arrived after U.S. special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Al-Qahera News quoted Egyptian sources as saying.

An Egyptian source told Xinhua the arrival was delayed by a day due to Israeli obstruction. The U.S. is expected to soon announce the formation of a "peace council" to oversee the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and support reconstruction efforts.

Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye announced on Wednesday the formation of the committee, describing the move as an important development toward enhancing stability and improving humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

The announcement followed a Cairo meeting of Palestinian factions that reaffirmed commitment to the truce, and called on Israel to halt its aggression and open crossings.

The ongoing fragile ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the U.S., took effect on October 10, 2025. However, clashes on the ground still continue. Gaza health authorities reported Thursday that at least 451 people have been killed and 1,251 injured since the ceasefire began.

On Thursday, the Israeli military said it had killed a Palestinian militant in southern Gaza, as the individual crossed the "Yellow Line," and approached soldiers in a manner that posed an "imminent threat," prompting them to open fire.

On the same day, Palestinian officials reported multiple civilian deaths from Israeli fire and airstrikes across the enclave, including a young girl, who was killed late Thursday when Israeli airstrikes struck two residential homes in Deir al-Balah.

The "Yellow Line" has become a flashpoint for clashes. Israel describes it as a security buffer to protect stationed troops, while Palestinian residents and rights groups say the lack of clear physical markings often leads to civilians being targeted when accessing homes or farmland.

Gaza health authorities said the overall death toll from the Israeli offensive has reached 71,441, with 171,329 wounded since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.

(With input from Xinhua)