GAZA January 17, 2026 – In a significant step toward post-conflict governance in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Ali Shaath, the newly appointed head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), has signed the organization’s mission statement as his first official act. The signing, which took place on January 17, affirms the committee’s commitment to rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, restoring essential services, and fostering a society based on peace, democracy, and justice.
The NCAG, a body of 12 to 15 Palestinian technocrats, was established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Donald J. Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan. It is tasked with managing daily affairs in Gaza following the anticipated transition from Hamas control, focusing on sanitation, infrastructure, education, and economic development. The committee reports to the US-led Board of Peace, chaired by President Trump, with oversight from a High Representative for Gaza, identified as Nickolay Mladenov.
In his announcement on X, Dr. Shaath, a civil engineer with a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast and former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister, outlined the mission: “Authorized by the UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Donald J. Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza is dedicated to transforming the transitional period in Gaza into a foundation for lasting Palestinian prosperity.
He emphasized rebuilding not just physical structures but also the “spirit” of the region, with priorities including security, electricity, water, healthcare, education, and creating a productive economy to combat unemployment. The statement underscores integrity, transparency, and a pursuit of peace to secure Palestinian rights and self-determination.
The formation of the NCAG has been welcomed by mediators Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who described it as a key development for stability and humanitarian improvement in Gaza. Dr. Shaath arrived in Egypt with committee members, some linked to the Palestinian Authority, and expressed determination to prevent future wars and restore security.
The White House has praised Shaath as a “pragmatic, technocratic leader” with expertise in public administration and economic development, suited to Gaza’s challenges. The Board of Peace includes international figures, with invitations extended to leaders like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
This move comes amid broader efforts to stabilize the region, with the NCAG positioned as a non-political entity to deliver services and advance prosperity under international supervision. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the plan resembling an imposed solution, though supporters highlight its focus on effective governance and reconstruction.
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