Gaza’s Future Governance Must Remain a Palestinian Matter, Say Resistance Groups:

As a tentative ceasefire takes hold in Gaza, Palestinian resistance factions — including Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) — have issued a strong joint statement reaffirming that the future governance of Gaza is “an internal Palestinian matter.” The factions praised the resilience of the Palestinian people, who they say have successfully resisted Israel’s alleged attempts to forcibly displace large segments of the population during the latest conflict. "We renew our rejection to any foreign guardianship," the statement read. "The nature of the administration of the Gaza Strip and its institutions are an internal Palestinian matter to be determined by the national component of our people directly." The announcement comes as tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians begin returning to their homes — or what remains of them — in northern Gaza following weeks of devastating Israeli bombardment. The destruction is widespread, with reports of entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Palestinian Civil Defence teams have recovered dozens of bodies from Gaza City streets, and many victims remain buried under debris in inaccessible zones. Amid the fragile calm, the resistance groups say they are preparing for an “urgent comprehensive national meeting” aimed at forging a unified Palestinian strategy. This gathering, they say, will lay the groundwork for transparent, inclusive national institutions and a long-term plan for rebuilding Gaza. It remains unclear whether Fatah, the dominant faction in the Palestinian Authority, will join these efforts. The ceasefire, agreed upon by both Hamas and Israel, is reportedly tied to a controversial 20-point Gaza plan led by former U.S. President Donald Trump. A key element of the plan is the creation of an international "Board of Peace" — chaired by Trump and including figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair — which would oversee an interim technocratic authority in Gaza. However, the plan faces staunch opposition from Palestinian factions who view it as an infringement on national sovereignty. According to the ceasefire agreement, Hamas is to release Israeli captives within 72 hours, without public celebrations or media fanfare. In return, the deal guarantees the entry of at least 600 aid trucks per day, the restoration of water stations, and the construction of emergency camps for the displaced. Reconstruction, however, remains a pressing challenge. The Gaza Government Media Office has called for a large-scale, coordinated effort to rebuild the devastated territory. A key part of the first phase involves bringing in equipment to remove the rubble. Humanitarian aid will be distributed through United Nations agencies and independent groups, sidelining the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has been linked to numerous casualties and abuse claims. Despite the ceasefire, GHF has pledged to continue operations, although human rights organizations have labeled some of its aid distribution points as “death traps.” As the dust settles, the path forward for Gaza remains uncertain — but Palestinian factions have made one thing clear: Gaza’s governance must be decided by Palestinians, not imposed from the outside.

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