Gaza administration committee ready to begin restorative work

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza said it has finalized priorities for recovery and reconstruction and is ready to begin field operations “once conditions permit,” Middle East Monitor reported on June 18th. 

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza announced finalized restorative plans during a coordination meeting with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank to discuss the damage and needs assessment in the Gaza Strip. The meeting was chaired by committee head Ali Shaath. 

In a statement published by the committee on the social media platform X, Shaath said the committee had adopted the assessment as the “main reference” for recovery preparation and reconstruction plans and programs. 

He added that the committee has completed sectoral priorities and implementation plans, allowing for it to begin working immediately “once the necessary conditions are in place.” 

Shaath stated that priorities have been identified in the health, housing, infrastructure, economy, agriculture, and telecommunications and social protection sectors as a way to ensure resources are allocated toward the most urgent needs of the area and people. 

European Union, United Nations, and World Bank representatives presented key findings of the assessment including the scale of damage and losses in key sectors, alongside what is needed to restore basic services and support economic and social recovery in Gaza, the statement said. 

Participants stressed that recovery and reconstruction should be led by Palestinians, showcasing the committee’s role in coordinating national and international efforts while preparing a sustainable reconstruction process. At the conclusion of the meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to continuing technical cooperation with the committee in support of recovery through sustainable efforts in Gaza. 

The committee, which is tasked with handling daily civil affairs in Gaza, began operating from Cairo in January but has yet to begin work inside of the Gaza Strip. 

Hamas said it held talks on June 17th with mediators and representatives of the Board of Peace on completing the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and moving into its second phase.

Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman said the talks achieved “broad understandings” on many issues including the entry of the committee and international forces into Gaza and the issue of Palestinian weapons. 

Maghrebi, Middle East Monitor.