A newly formed Palestinian committee, established to administer the Gaza Strip under United States supervision, has held its inaugural meeting in Cairo. The group's leader has committed to acting swiftly to address the dire humanitarian situation in the war-torn territory.
First Steps for Gaza's New Administration
The committee, led by engineer and former Palestinian Authority official Ali Shaath, met for the first time on Friday 16 January 2026. In a televised interview with Egypt's Al-Qahera News, Shaath stated that the Palestinian people had been eagerly awaiting the committee's formation to "rescue them." He outlined an ambitious plan, estimating that reconstruction and recovery would take approximately three years, with an immediate focus on providing shelter.
The committee's creation follows the ceasefire that took effect on 10 October, after a two-year war between Israel and Hamas. Israeli forces have since withdrawn from parts of Gaza to positions behind the designated Yellow Line, allowing thousands of displaced residents to return to their devastated neighbourhoods.
US Backing and Oversight Structure
US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the committee's mission in a social media post on Thursday. He confirmed his support for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, describing it as a technocratic body that will govern during a transitional period.
The committee will manage Gaza's day-to-day affairs under the oversight of a Trump-led "Board of Peace." The members of this supervisory board have not yet been publicly named. This structure places the future governance of Gaza under direct, albeit external, supervision as it begins the monumental task of rebuilding.
Ongoing Violence Shadows Political Moves
While political steps were taken in Cairo, violence continued to plague the region. In the occupied West Bank, friends and relatives gathered on Friday to mourn Mohammad Na'san, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed he was the first child killed by the army in the West Bank in 2026.
The incident occurred in al-Mughayyir, a village east of Ramallah that has become a frequent flashpoint. Village council head Ameen Abu Aliya accused Israeli forces of firing stun grenades, tear gas, and gunfire at a crowded street as people left mosques. The Israeli military stated its incursion was a response to Palestinians throwing rocks and setting tires on fire.
This death adds to the grim toll from the previous year. According to United Nations figures, 240 Palestinians – including 55 children – were killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank in 2025. In the same period, Palestinians killed 17 Israelis, including one child.
Separately, in Gaza, a 7-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy were killed on Friday in Beit Lahiya, near the Yellow Line. Their bodies were taken to al-Shifa Hospital, though further details of the incident were not immediately available.
