The Israeli government has formally rejected the official emblem adopted by the newly-formed Palestinian technocratic committee designated to administer Gaza’s affairs, citing its striking resemblance to the Palestinian Authority’s insignia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Monday declaring Israel’s refusal to accept the symbol, emphasizing that the Palestinian Authority would not participate in Gaza’s administration.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a 15-member body composed of Palestinian technocrats, recently altered its social media logo to display a golden eagle centered on the Palestinian flag—a design nearly identical to the PA’s official emblem. The sole distinction lies in the Arabic text at the base, where the NCAG’s acronym replaces the word ‘Palestine.’ Previously, the committee’s logo featured a bird constructed from the colors of the Palestinian flag.
Established last month through the US-led ‘Board of Peace’ initiative, the NCAG aims to assume governance responsibilities in the conflict-devastated territory, effectively replacing Hamas’s administrative control. The committee is chaired by former PA deputy minister Ali Shaath and incorporates Gaza representatives with no political faction affiliations.
Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2006, announced on Monday its completion of all preparatory measures to transfer authority to the NCAG. Committee members, having conducted recent meetings in Egypt, are anticipated to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing imminently to commence their administrative duties.
Supervision of the NCAG falls to Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, former UN Middle East peace coordinator, who serves as high representative of the Board of Peace. Mladenov’s mandate includes overseeing implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The committee’s composition features Omar Shamali (communications), Abdul Karim Ashour (agriculture), Aed Yaghi (health), and Aed Abu Ramadan (industry and economy). Additional appointments include Jabr al-Daour (education), Bashir al-Rayes (finance), Ali Barhoum (water and municipalities), Hanaa Tarzi (relief and solidarity), and Adnan Salem Abu Warda (judiciary).
Further positions are allocated to Rami Tawfiq Helles (endowments and religious affairs), Osama Hassan al-Saadawi (housing and public works), and Samira Helles (energy and transportation). Notably, Sami Nasman—a retired senior PA security official and longstanding Hamas critic—assumes the security portfolio, despite receiving a 15-year prison sentence in absentia from a Gaza court in 2015 for alleged assassination plots against Hamas leaders.