Hamas is preparing to dissolve the administrative body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, officials from the group confirmed on Monday. This move clears the path for a Palestinian technocratic committee to take over civilian rule in the war-torn territory.
Political Shift by Hamas
The decision marks a significant political shift by the militant group, which has run Gaza since its fighters seized control from the rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007. Since a ceasefire took effect in Gaza last October between Hamas and Israel, the group has repeatedly indicated it is ready to step aside from day-to-day governance. However, the contentious issue of its disarmament remains unresolved.
“The movement has decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and to appoint a nationally accepted figure to oversee the committee’s work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza formally assumes its responsibilities,” a Hamas official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Hamas’s media office in Gaza announced it would hold “an important press conference” later on Monday, without providing further details.
Factions Welcome the Decision
A second Hamas official said the group had already informed other Palestinian factions of the move at a recent meeting in Cairo. “The factions welcomed Hamas’s decision, describing it as a serious step toward enabling the National Committee to take up its governing role,” the official said.
The dissolution of the Hamas body paves the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Palestinian official Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities. The NCAG was established by the Board of Peace, which was in turn set up by US President Donald Trump when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel last October. However, the committee has remained based outside Gaza for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the war-devastated territory.
Stalled Ceasefire Implementation
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have held several rounds of talks in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, particularly over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. The first phase involved the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. The transition to the second phase, which was to involve Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has been stalled for months. Israeli forces have actually expanded their presence in the territory in recent months, taking control of nearly 70 percent of Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it will consider handing over any part of its arsenal. The question of Gaza’s post-war governance remains one of the main sticking points in negotiations on implementing phase two. Israel rejects any return of Hamas to power, but also rejects a direct takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority at this stage.
