Palestinian Islamic Jihad says ready to cooperate with Gaza's new administration committee

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is prepared to cooperate with the Gaza administration committee, despite reservations about the newly formed peace council, spokesman Mohammed al-Hajj Musa said on Sunday.

Speaking to The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication, Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the PIJ spokesperson said his group is keen on working alongside Ali Shaath, the head of the administration committee, to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

He said the main reservations about US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" are that its formation and membership serve Israeli interests.

Earlier this week, the White House said the board would include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, British former prime minister Tony Blair, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, World Bank president Ajay Banga, and the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Trump will serve as the chair, with more appointments expected.

Musa also noted one of the PIJ’s chief concerns was the Israeli obstruction of aid to Gaza.

In a statement made to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, he denied accusations that the PIJ was refusing to hand over the last remaining body of an Israeli captive in Gaza, adding that since the ceasefire was agreed, they have mobilised all resources to retrieve bodies.

"We handed over the living prisoners, and we handed over the bodies despite the occupation’s obstructions – but it was actually the occupation [Israel] that was hindering and delaying the handover by refusing to allow the entry of necessary equipment and aid teams," he said.

He pointed out that there are around 61 million tonnes of rubble in the enclave, yet Israel has restricted the entry of essential equipment needed to clear it.

Earlier on Sunday, Hamas said it intends to hand over responsibilities for the enclave to the Gaza administration committee.

The group confirmed it sent a message to mediators, demanding that the first phase of the truce be fully implemented before the issue of disarmament commences under the second phase.

A leading source in Hamas said the group had urged in a meeting held in Cairo last week that Israel fulfil the terms of the first phase of the deal, noting that the Rafah crossing had not been opened, nor have prefabricated homes been allowed in, nor equipment to remove rubble.

The group also noted that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect.

A Hamas leader familiar with the talks in Cairo also said that the group reaffirmed its full commitment to handing over the administration of the trip to the newly formed committee, which held its first meeting on Thursday at the US embassy in Cairo.

Another senior Hamas leader confirmed that the group had reached an agreement with Egyptian mediators on the details of handing over the administration.

"It can now be said that Gaza is under the administration of the committee, and it is expected that all relevant parties will fulfil their promises to deliver aid, begin reconstruction and alleviate the suffering of the Strip’s residents," the official said.