In a significant development, Palestinian factions convened in Cairo on Friday to initiate a ‘national dialogue’ aimed at addressing the governance and future of Gaza as part of a broader Palestinian state. A joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted the factions’ commitment to unifying their visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause. The factions also called for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy and to reactivate the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. While Hamas was present at the meeting, the participation of other factions remains unclear. The statement emphasized the need for a unified national position, rejecting all forms of annexation and displacement in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. Additionally, the factions urged an end to torture and violations against prisoners in Israeli prisons and called for measures to ensure security and stability in Gaza. Notably, the factions agreed to form a temporary committee of independent Palestinian technocrats from Gaza to manage daily life and provide basic services, signaling a willingness to cede power to this group. However, the issue of disarmament, a contentious demand from the US and Israel, was not addressed. Instead, the factions proposed a UN force to monitor the ceasefire. The meeting comes as 157 out of 193 UN member states recognize Palestine, including most G7 nations. Interestingly, recent polling in the US shows that 41% of Republican voters and a majority of Democrats support Palestinian statehood, marking a shift in public opinion. The Trump administration, historically critical of the UN, has appointed Ambassador Steven Fagin to lead the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel, tasked with monitoring the Gaza ceasefire. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who toured the facility on Friday, expressed cautious optimism about the progress of the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
Palestinian factions start ‘national dialogue’, US appoints diplomat to monitor ceasefire
