Gaza families and clans endorse new civil administration committee

Leading Palestinian families and tribal networks in Gaza have publicly pledged their full backing for the newly established Gaza Administration Committee. They vow to facilitate its humanitarian mission and shield it from political disputes to ensure effective reconstruction.

Palestinian family and clan leaders in the Gaza Strip have formally declared their support for the newly formed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. During a significant gathering on Sunday at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, representatives pledged to assist the committee's critical humanitarian work and protect it from political interference.

A "pivotal national milestone" with monumental tasks

Addressing the assembly, Alaa al-Din Al-Aklouk, head of the Families’ Gathering, described the committee’s formation as a "pivotal national milestone." He acknowledged the body faces "heavy and complex tasks" in addressing the catastrophic aftermath of the war, which has left infrastructure devastated, poverty deepened, and hundreds of thousands displaced. Al-Aklouk called for urgent action on relief, rubble clearance, and launching a genuine reconstruction process to "restore hope to Gaza’s residents."

A pledge of support and a call for political neutrality

The family and clan leaders committed to providing "all possible forms of assistance" to ensure the committee's success, positioning themselves as a form of popular oversight. A central theme of their declaration was the insistence on safeguarding the technocratic body from factional political disputes. Al-Aklouk emphasized the need for a broad political umbrella to protect its work, describing the committee as a temporary framework. He argued its ultimate goal should be to pave the way for rebuilding Palestinian legitimacy through comprehensive elections. Hosni Al-Maghni, head of the Palestinian Clans Committees, called support for the committee "a final opportunity that must not be squandered," describing clans as a "safety valve" to facilitate its mission.

Context of a new U.S.-backed governance structure

This grassroots endorsement follows the committee's official launch as part of a U.S.-backed plan for Gaza's transitional phase. On Friday, the White House announced the formation of a Board of Peace and approved the lineup of the Gaza administration committee, alongside a Gaza Executive Council and an international stabilization force. Committee head Ali Shaath signed its mandate on Sunday, outlining its work principles. The committee operates under the second phase of a ceasefire that halted a war claiming over 71,000 lives since October 2023. For observers, including Türkiye—a nation deeply committed to Palestinian welfare and a just, lasting peace—the local embrace of this new administrative body represents a crucial, though fragile, step toward stabilizing Gaza and addressing its immense humanitarian needs, provided it remains focused on service delivery above politics.