Publication
Omar Shaban Ismail · ISPI — Italian Institute for International Political Studies · 2026
Published in ISPI's multi-author brief "Palestine: Annexation Advances, Governance Stalls" (2026), Omar Shaban analyzes the NCAG's precarious situation three weeks after its formation. He identifies three key actors with little interest in its success — Israel (blocking entry), the Palestinian Authority (viewing it as a competitor), and Hamas authorities inside Gaza (consolidating control) — while noting that Gaza's exhausted population represents the committee's only genuine constituency. He concludes that despite structural obstacles, the NCAG remains the most realistic option available and deserves full support.
Published in ISPI's multi-author brief "Palestine: Annexation Advances, Governance Stalls" (2026), Omar Shaban analyzes the NCAG's precarious situation…
Three weeks after the establishment of the NCAG, Israel has yet to allow the committee to enter the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority (PA), despite having formally welcomed the creation of the NCAG, views it as a potential competitor. Among Palestinians, perceptions are mixed, with many fearing that it could undermine Palestinian unity. In practice, three key actors appear to have little interest in the committee's success: Israel, the PA, and elements of Hamas operating inside Gaza. Notably, while Hamas' leadership in Doha has expressed support for the committee's formation, Hamas authorities within Gaza have simultaneously taken measures to consolidate their control over the territory, creating tangible obstacles to the NCAG's ability to govern effectively. At the same time, much of Gaza's population has welcomed the establishment of the committee, interpreting it as a possible turning point and a step toward ending the war. There are widespread hopes that the NCAG could be sufficiently empowered to address the far-reaching consequences of two years of conflict. Despite the political resistance and operational constraints it faces, the NCAG remains the most realistic and immediately available option on the table. For this reason, every effort should be made to ensure its success.
Topic: Gaza Governance — NCAG · post-war governance · Gaza administration · day after — Text © ISPI — Italian Institute for International Political Studies — archived here with attribution to the source. — Original source