Egypt is conducting parallel talks aimed at convening a meeting between Hamas and its rival Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, to resolve outstanding issues related to the technocratic committee, he said.
Another Hamas official familiar with the negotiations said a consensus among Fatah, Hamas and other factions is required on the committee’s composition.
Once an agreement is reached, Abbas is expected to issue a presidential decree formally establishing the body, the second Hamas official said.
Two names circulating as potential heads of the committee are Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister of planning in the Palestinian Authority, and Majed Abu Ramadan, the current minister of health, the second official said.
“Final agreement on the names is expected to be reached between Fatah and Hamas, in consultation with the factions, to ensure unified backing for the committee’s work,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Board of Peace is expected to be led on the ground in Gaza by Bulgarian diplomat and politician Nickolay Mladenov, who has recently held talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials.
Mladenov previously served as the United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process from early 2015 until the end of 2020.
Media reports say Trump is expected to announce the members of the Board of Peace in the coming days, with the body set to include around 15 world leaders.