CAIRO/GAZA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo on Wednesday reaffirmed their "full commitment" to implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement and its remaining stages, as part of efforts to advance the second phase of the truce.
In a statement released after the meeting, the factions said the gathering aimed to unify the Palestinian national position to facilitate the launch of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip based on the U.S.-proposed peace plan.
The meeting was held at Egypt's invitation as part of mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye to address the repercussions of the war on Gaza and push forward the ceasefire agreement, according to the statement.
The factions called on mediators "to pressure Israel to halt its aggression against the Palestinian people," withdraw its forces, open border crossings, and allow the entry of aid to all parts of Gaza, the statement said, linking these steps to restoring sustainable calm, returning life to normal, and paving the way for Gaza's early recovery and reconstruction.
They also voiced "support for the mediators' efforts to form a Palestinian transitional national committee to administer the Gaza Strip," the statement said, stressing the need to provide an appropriate environment for the committee to immediately assume all responsibilities for managing daily life and essential services, in cooperation with the Peace Council and its affiliated international executive committee overseeing reconstruction.
The statement further stressed the need to continue working toward unifying Palestinian positions to overcome the current critical phase, advance Palestinian political unity, defend the rights of the Palestinian people, and confront Israel's settlement expansion and plans to annex the West Bank, while reaffirming the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state.
The factions also praised the roles played by Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, as well as the United States, in supporting the Palestinian people and working to end their suffering in Gaza.
The Palestinian presidency said Wednesday it supports forming a Palestinian committee to administer the Gaza Strip during a transitional phase, as part of preparations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
In a statement carried by the Palestinian News Agency WAFA, the presidency said the leadership is in close contact with U.S. envoys to back efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and advance implementation of the second phase, including reconstruction.
It stressed the need to link the institutions of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza, and to avoid any administrative, legal or security arrangements that would entrench duplication, division or separation, reaffirming its commitment to the principle of one system, one law and one legitimate armed force.
Brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States, an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-ruling Hamas took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, following two years of conflict. However, Gaza's health authorities said Wednesday that at least 449 people have been killed and 1,246 injured since the ceasefire began.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed 71,439 Palestinians and wounded 171,324 others, while causing widespread destruction and worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave, the authorities added. ■
