Nine months after the ceasefire in Gaza took effect, and despite the risk of renewed fighting, relevant parties are proceeding with their plans for the post-war phase in the devastated Palestinian territory after two years of conflict.

Plans for administration, security, and humanitarian relief are taking shape, but remain largely theoretical due to the difficulty of reaching a political agreement, reliable security guarantees, and sustainable funding.

Below are some of the main challenges facing local and international stakeholders as they seek to rebuild the destroyed territory, which is home to over two million Palestinians.

Security is a critical element in any scenario addressing the post-war phase that erupted in Gaza after Hamas's attack on the Hebrew state on October 7, 2023.

Israel demands the disarmament of the movement, which the latter rejects unless a comprehensive solution is reached, a Palestinian authority is established in Gaza, and the Israeli army begins its withdrawal.

However, an official in the 'Peace Council' established by US President Donald Trump after brokering the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel last October said that disarmament is no longer a prerequisite for making progress on the ground.

While noting that the council is working on establishing a pilot 'humanitarian zone,' he explained that 'the entire plan is based on the most pessimistic scenario,' which is Hamas's refusal to disarm.

The official added to AFP: 'We have not made progress in negotiations, but we are moving forward anyway.'

In this context, he indicated that four countries (Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, and Kazakhstan) are currently seriously committed to one of the planned projects, namely the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), a body operating under the umbrella of the 'Peace Council' to maintain order in the territory.

Members of Hamas police in a street in Gaza City (Archive - Reuters)

One of the logistical bases on the Israeli side near the Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel is 'nearing completion' and will be able to accommodate about 500 military personnel before their potential deployment. However, there is still a need to determine the methods of intervention for this force on the ground.

Meanwhile, preparations continue for the establishment of a Palestinian police force; about 20,000 applications have been registered, according to the same source. But a diplomatic source said that training courses have not yet begun, while Israel rejects the current enlistment lists, considering that a force of 5,000 police officers would be too large.

Humanitarian needs remain enormous.

UN estimates indicate that reconstruction will take several years and require tens of billions of dollars, while construction materials and rubble removal equipment are insufficient, according to international organizations working on the ground.

Despite large donation pledges, a significant portion of the expected funding has not yet been disbursed, according to the 'Peace Council.'

The council official said that 'the funding we have meets our immediate needs,' adding that if other 'humanitarian zones' are planned, 'we will need more funding.'

Earlier this week, the official said that the council is currently planning to establish a 'pilot humanitarian zone' in Rafah in the southern part of the territory, aiming to accommodate tens of thousands of civilians who will undergo security screening procedures.

Hamas announced the dissolution of the Governmental Work Committee, which has been administering the Gaza Strip since 2007 when it forcefully took control of the territory after military confrontations with Fatah.

With the decision to dissolve the government, these responsibilities have been transferred to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a body comprising independent Palestinian professionals formed by the 'Peace Council,' which is supposed to manage the territory during the transitional phase.

A Hamas official said that officials in Gaza ministries have already begun coordinating the transfer process with the committee.

Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas (Archive - Reuters)

However, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which is temporarily based in Cairo, has not yet been able to enter the territory. Palestinian and diplomatic sources say Israel prevents its members from entering.

While this body is presented as temporary, many European and Arab officials insist on the need for a broader political framework that includes existing Palestinian institutions.

European representatives met with the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to discuss the resumption of public services and reconstruction. They prefer that this be done in coordination with the Palestinian Authority.

Furthermore, observers point to the risks of establishing an administration that manages public services without having authority over security apparatuses or control over borders, which could weaken its position against Hamas if it retains its weapons.