The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a technocratic committee to establish civilian rule.
This action marks a major political shift for Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since its militants overthrew the rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007 following a legislative election victory the previous year.
Since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in Gaza last October, the group has repeatedly stated that it is willing to relinquish day-to-day governance. However, the contentious issue of its disarmament remains unresolved.
“The head of the government’s emergency committee, Mohammed al-Farra, has officially submitted his resignation,” Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas’ government media office, told AFP.
“He has also decided to dissolve the committee to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).”
Following his mediation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in October 2025, US President Donald Trump founded the Board of Peace, which subsequently established the NCAG.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP that, “Hamas has taken a new step in that it will no longer be in charge of the Gaza Strip, in order to remove any pretexts for the occupation, which continues its agression and war of extermination.”
Meanwhile, according to AFP, a Hamas official earlier confirmed that the group had already informed other Palestinian factions about its decision at a recent meeting in Cairo.
Consequently, the dissolution of the Hamas body paves the way for the NCAG, headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities in the territory.
Several Rounds of Mediation
Due to Israeli opposition blocking its entry into the war-torn territory, the NCAG has reportedly remained outside of Gaza for several months.
According to sources, and other Palestinian factions have held multiple rounds of mediation in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, especially over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
The first phase largely 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 intended to disarm Hamas and gradually withdraw Israeli forces—has been stalled for months. Instead, Israeli forces have recently intensified their presence in the territory, seizing control of roughly 70% of Gaza.
Read Also: Trump Declares ‘War Is Over’ as Hamas complete release of all remaining hostages
Backstory…
Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, when it seized control of the enclave after a violent split with the rival Palestinian movement, Fatah.
However, its grip on civilian administration came under unprecedented pressure following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, which devastated much of Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced millions of residents.
In the months that followed, mediators including the United States, Egypt and Qatar intensified efforts to broker a ceasefire and develop a post-war governance framework that would see Gaza administered by an independent Palestinian technocratic committee rather than Hamas.
Meanwhile, the group is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it will consider handing over any part of its arsenal.
