Egypt hosts Fatah and Hamas talks on Gaza as part of ceasefire efforts

(Patria) - Senior officials from rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas are meeting in Cairo to discuss the formation of a committee to manage post-war Gaza, an Egyptian security source told Egypt's Al Qahera News TV on Saturday.

The talks are part of broader Egyptian mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas and expand humanitarian access to the enclave, Reuters reported.

Leaders of Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction met in Cairo last month to discuss forming a committee based on a proposal put forward by Egypt, but the talks were postponed for later discussion, sources close to the talks told Reuters. The sources said the committee would be composed of independent Palestinian figures not affiliated with a specific movement, addressing the issue of who will govern Gaza after the war ends.

Israel rejects any role for Hamas in Gaza after the war ends and has said it does not trust Abbas's rival Palestinian Authority to govern the enclave.

Mediators, including Egypt and Qatar with the support of the United States, have so far failed to secure a truce that would end the war in Gaza and facilitate the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas, along with thousands of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Hamas is pushing for an end to hostilities, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the war will continue until Hamas is dismantled.