TNA Staff
The New Arab / January 18, 2026
The group said, however, that they have reservations about the peace council announced by the White House earlier this week.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is prepared to cooperate with the Gaza administration committee, despite reservations about the newly formed peace council, spokesman Mohammed al-Hajj Musa said on Sunday.
Speaking to The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication, Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the PIJ spokesperson said his group is keen on working alongside Ali Shaath, the head of the administration committee, to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
He said the main reservations about US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” are that its formation and membership serve Israeli interests.
Earlier this week, the White House said the board would include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, British former prime minister Tony Blair, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, World Bank president Ajay Banga, and the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Trump will serve as the chair, with more appointments expected.
Musa also noted one of the PIJ’s chief concerns was the Israeli obstruction of aid to Gaza.
In a statement made to Al-Araby al-Jadeed, he denied accusations that the PIJ was refusing to hand over the last remaining body of an Israeli captive in Gaza, adding that since the ceasefire was agreed, they have mobilised all resources to retrieve bodies.
“We handed over the living prisoners, and we handed over the bodies despite the occupation’s obstructions – but it was actually the occupation [Israel] that was hindering and delaying the handover by refusing to allow the entry of necessary equipment and aid teams,” he said.
He pointed out that there are around 61 million tonnes of rubble in the enclave, yet Israel has restricted the entry of essential equipment needed to clear it.
Earlier on Sunday, Hamas said it intends to hand over responsibilities for the enclave to the Gaza administration committee.
