The National Committee for Gaza administration began its work in Cairo in mid-January, one day after its formation was announced.
However, the committee has not yet begun operating inside Gaza, despite Hamas stating that logistical and administrative arrangements for transferring civil administration duties have been completed.
Entry of committee members requires coordination through Israeli-controlled crossings, while no official statement has clarified the reasons for the delay, and Israel has not commented on the issue.
On Sunday, Hamas called on mediators, following meetings in Cairo with unnamed Palestinian factions and mediators, to pressure Tel Aviv to implement the phase one provisions of the ceasefire agreement, as a prelude to serious talks on phase two.
Regarding the meetings in Cairo, Qassem said Hamas is engaging “responsibly and positively” with proposals and will respond after completing consultations with its leadership and Palestinian factions.
He stressed the need to ensure the war does not resume, affirming Palestinians’ commitment to their rights, foremost among them self-determination.
Qassem urged mediators and guarantors of the agreement to “play their role in finding logical and reasonable approaches acceptable to the Palestinian people.”
Qassem said the humanitarian situation remains dire, stating that Israel is not complying with the agreement, closing crossings, restricting aid and killing civilians daily.
The Rafah crossing is not operating as agreed, he added.
On Sunday, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced that only about 700 patients have been able to leave Gaza for treatment abroad since the Rafah crossing was partially reopened on February 2, while over 18,000 patients and injured people are still awaiting medical evacuation amid Israeli restrictions.
Since the reopening, returning Palestinians have reported Israeli mistreatment, including detention and harsh interrogation lasting hours before being allowed to continue.
Before the war, hundreds of Palestinians crossed daily through Rafah in both directions under a normal system managed by Gaza’s Interior Ministry and Egypt, without Israeli intervention.
This changed after Israel seized control of the Palestinian side of the crossing during the war and imposed strict restrictions on movement, worsening the suffering of patients and limiting access to treatment abroad.
Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, killing over 72,000 Palestinians and injuring over 172,000, most of whom are children and women, as well as destroying 90 percent of civilian infrastructure.
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