WASHINGTON — Dr. Ali Shaath officially began his duties as head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), saying his first act was adopting and signing the committee’s mission statement.

“Today, as my first official act, I adopted and signed the NCAG Mission Statement, affirming our governing mandate and operating principles,” Shaath said late Saturday in a statement posted on X.

Shaath said the NCAG is authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Donald J. Trump’s 20-point peace plan, and is tasked with transforming Gaza’s transitional period into “a foundation for lasting Palestinian prosperity.”

He said the committee will operate under the guidance of the Board of Peace, chaired by President Trump, and with the support of the High Representative for Gaza.

“Our mission is to rebuild the Gaza Strip not just in infrastructure but also in spirit,” Shaath said.

According to the statement, the NCAG aims to establish security, restore essential services including electricity, water, healthcare and education, and promote governance rooted in peace, democracy and justice.

Shaath said the committee would operate with “the highest standards of integrity and transparency” and work to build a productive economy capable of replacing unemployment with opportunity.

“We embrace peace, through which we strive to secure the path to true Palestinian rights and self-determination,” he added.

The White House announced on Friday the formation of the technocratic committee tasked with overseeing Gaza’s transitional governance as part of Trump’s plan to end the war in the territory.

Shaath, a former Palestinian deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, was named to lead the body.

The White House described him as a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of public services, rebuild civil institutions and stabilize daily life in Gaza while laying the foundation for long-term governance.

The announcement also included the creation of a Gaza Executive Board to support governance and services, with members drawn from international and regional partners.

On Wednesday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, shifting the focus to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction. — Agencies