Badran: Israel blocks Gaza administration committee from starting its mandate

Speaking to Al‑Araby al‑Jadeed news website on Thursday, Badran said that Hamas intends to consult with other Palestinian factions before engaging in any new negotiations over transferring authority in Gaza to a new government.

However, Badran stressed the need for pressuring the Israeli occupation to halt its crimes against the people of Gaza.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair, a member of the Board of Peace, said in recent remarks to the BBC that he expects talks with Hamas to take place within days, aimed at advancing a plan to transfer control of the Gaza Strip to a new government.

According to Badran, Hamas had earlier welcomed the formation of the Gaza administration committee, made up of professional technocrats, and agreed to its entry into Gaza.

“With the participation of other factions, the Movement prepared everything necessary to transfer the instruments of governance in Gaza to this committee. However, the Israeli occupation blocked its entry and hindered its mission,” Badran said.

Badran pointed to the negative performance of the Board of Peace, chaired by US president Donald Trump, criticizing its impotence and failure to enable the committee to enter Gaza.

The Hamas official also condemned the board’s failure to compel the Zionist regime’s occupation to end its repeated breaches of the ceasefire agreement, particularly as deadly attacks against Palestinians in Gaza continue to escalate.