Arab diplomat denies report Hamas handpicked members of Gaza’s postwar government

WASHINGTON — A senior Arab diplomat denies an unsourced report from the Kan public broadcaster claiming that Hamas has handpicked half of the members of the Palestinian technocratic committee that will manage postwar Gaza.

The senior Arab diplomat tells The Times of Israel that the committee hasn’t even been finalized yet, as the Trump administration prioritizes the establishment of the International Stabilization Force, a peacekeeping force for the territory, which is also still being crafted.

Those assembling the technocratic committee recognize that including names that Hamas will vehemently oppose increases the chances that the terror group will play a spoiler role. However, the idea that Hamas will be able to hand-pick the members of the committee is “blatantly false,” the Arab diplomat says.