Hamas says it will not take direct administrative role in Gaza

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem says the group has no intention of directly taking up an administrative role in governing Gaza.

In a statement from Gaza, Qassem said Hamas has instead agreed to establish a “community support committee” to temporarily manage affairs.

“We call for the rapid formation of the Community Support Committee until the formation of the Gaza Management Committee. Government agencies in Gaza continue to perform their duties, as the vacuum is very dangerous,” he said.

He added that existing institutions will keep operating “until an administrative committee is formed and agreed upon by all Palestinian factions”.

Qassem confirmed that talks with mediators are ongoing to set the stage for the second phase of negotiations.

He said the next stage of the ceasefire deal is “complex” and efforts are under way to build a unified national position around its key terms.