Mirage-on-the-Med: Mishpacha Magazine
- Israeli security officials viewed the committee's composition as consisting of "fatah figures who are not extreme," aligning with individuals they already engaged with within the Palestinian authority.
- Though, a critical question arises: was Shaath chosen for his capabilities, or for his perceived lack of threat?
- The National Committee comprises 15 members, described as politically autonomous technocrats, though many have affiliations with Fatah and Palestinian Authority institutions.
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Israeli security officials viewed the committee’s composition as consisting of “fatah figures who are not extreme,” aligning with individuals they already engaged with within the Palestinian authority. Shaath’s relative anonymity and lack of public scandal were considered favorable qualities.
Though, a critical question arises: was Shaath chosen for his capabilities, or for his perceived lack of threat? He is a civil engineer and technocrat focused on project management, rather than a security expert or political leader.
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The National Committee comprises 15 members, described as politically autonomous technocrats, though many have affiliations with Fatah and Palestinian Authority institutions. shaath chairs the committee and oversees the energy and transportation portfolios.
Key members include Sami Nasman, a retired Palestinian General Intelligence officer previously imprisoned by Hamas, responsible for internal security; Ayed Abu Ramadan, chairman of the Gaza Chamber of commerce, overseeing economy and trade; and Hana tarazi, Gaza’s first Christian female lawyer and an expert in Islamic law.
The committee’s official mandate focuses on managing public services – electricity, water, health, education, rubble clearance, infrastructure rehabilitation, and international donor funds. It aims “to rebuild the Gaza strip not only in infrastructure but also in spirit.”
Crucially, the committee is explicitly not tasked with security matters or coordinating with armed factions. As Shaath stated, “The committee is not an army – it is made up of 15 Palestinian experts for reconstruction, supported by staff; more minds than weapons.”
Disarming Hamas remains the responsibility of a yet-to-be-established International Stabilization Force (ISF). The committee lacks political authority to represent Gaza internationally and operates as a temporary administrative body under a complex oversight structure: a “Peace Council” chaired by Donald Trump; an “Executive Council” including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Tony Blair; and Mladenov as the senior representative on the ground.
This creates a notable disconnect between stated goals and practical realities. While US envoy Witkoff spoke of a “transition from ceasefire to demilitarization,” the committee itself has no demilitarization mandate. Shaath, an engineer, lacks the authority or means to enforce disarmament within an surroundings where Hamas maintains substantial control.