Israel, Hamas open to 'interim' Gaza governance involving neither of them: Report

Israel and Hamas are open that neither of them governs Gaza after the war ends, according to Washington Post columnist David Ignatius. 

In an article published Wednesday, Ignatius said the framework for a three-phased ceasefire deal has been agreed, according to a senior US official. 

Talks are now focused on finalising the complex details, which will take time finalise. 

According to Ignatius, both sides "signalled their acceptance" to give up governance of Gaza in the deal's second phase - which involves transitioning from a temporary to a permanent ceasefire. 

A force, which would be trained by the US and backed by some Arab states, would handle security. Its core would be made up of 2,500 Israeli-vetted supporters of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. 

A US official said Hamas informed mediators it was "prepared to relinquish authority to the interim governance arrangement," according to Ignatius.

Hamas has held a similar position since the start of the war. 

The Palestinian group signalled early on it was willing to transfer the governance of Gaza to an interim body made up of all Palestinian factions, which is tasked with running the besieged strip's affairs and later facilitating general elections.