Hamas and Fatah have agreed to form a committee to administer Gaza following talks in Cairo led by Egyptian intelligence, a senior Hamas official said. The new Arabs sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed Monday.

“We met with a Fatah delegation to put the finishing touches on the committee that will administer Gaza,” the Hamas source said.

He said the Hamas delegation was led by a senior leader Khalil Al Hayyawhich was considered as a possible successor to Yahya Sinwarwhile the Fatah delegation was led by Hussein al-Sheikha senior Palestinian Authority official tipped as a possible successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The new administrative committee would be composed of “technocrats” and would be assisted by thousands of employees in Gaza, according to the Hamas source.

It will begin operating as soon as Abbas issues a decree establishing it and will operate in the context of Israel’s devastating war against Gaza, which has so far killed more than 43,000 Palestinians.

It will provide help and relief to the Palestinians and work towards reconstruction once the war is over. He reportedly receives support from Egypt and other Arab states.

News of the committee’s creation came as Abbas prepared to travel to Cairo and meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday, to discuss the situation in Gaza, Egyptian ceasefire efforts and Palestinian reconciliation.

Hamas and the Abbas-led Fatah movement have a long-standing rivalry. Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, following a conflict between the two Palestinian groups.

Israel has said it will accept no role for either Hamas or the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in governing the Gaza Strip after the end of the war.

He also insisted on a permanent presence at the Philadelphia corridor which separates Egypt from Gaza and the Netzarim crossroads in the middle of the strip.

Hamas insisted that Israel completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip in exchange for a ceasefire agreement and the release of Israeli captives held by the group.

On Sunday, a Hamas delegation met with Egyptian intelligence officials to discuss the ceasefire and the future administration of Gaza.

The delegation would have included new members who had not attended previous negotiations, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeedin what is seen as an attempt by Hamas to show flexibility in the face of long-stalled ceasefire talks.