Hamas dissolves Gaza’s ruling body after nearly two decades, paving way for technocratic rule: ‘New step’ | Today’s news
Has Hamas relinquished control of the Gaza Strip as part of Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan? 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 run a civilian government.
The move represents a major political shift by Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since its fighters took control of the rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007 after winning parliamentary elections the previous year.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, the Gaza Government Emergency Committee informed that their leadership has submitted their resignation and is ready to fully hand over administration to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The move is in response to the “higher interests” of Palestinians in Gaza, citing the “ongoing war, blockade, delayed reconstruction and Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the territory.”
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Hamas is preparing to dissolve the body that has ruled the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, paving the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to run a civilian government, according to a France 24 report, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Since a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel came into effect in Gaza last October, the group has repeatedly said it is ready to step back from day-to-day governance, but the thorny 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’s government media office, told AFP.
“He also decided to dissolve the committee to facilitate an administrative and governmental transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).”
The NCAG was created by the Peace Council, which was established by US President Donald Trump when he brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October 2025.
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“Hamas has taken a new step by no longer being in charge of the Gaza Strip to remove any excuses for the occupation to continue its aggression and war of extermination,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem was quoted as saying by AFP.
“We hope for the swift entry of the National Committee for the Management of Gaza, and Hamas confirms its readiness to hand over government responsibilities to the committee to ensure its success.”
The Contingency Committee cites war delays, blockades, and reconstruction
In a statement, the Government’s Committee for Emergency Situations said it had decided to relinquish its authority in response to the “higher interests” of Palestinians in Gaza.
The committee pointed to “the ongoing war, the blockade, delayed reconstruction and Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the territory” as reasons for its decision.
She added that all administrative arrangements for the transition had been completed and called on international mediators to facilitate the immediate entry of the National Committee into Gaza.
“Preparations for the transfer of powers have been completed,” the committee said, calling on mediators to ensure that the National Committee can begin fulfilling its duties, “which will strengthen the resilience of our people and help heal their wounds.”
Hamas prepares to withdraw from civilian administration
Hamas officials said the movement had decided to dissolve the governing body that has overseen Gaza since the group took control of the territory from rival Palestinian faction Fatah in 2007.
“The movement has decided to dissolve the governing committee for Gaza and appoint a nationally recognized figure to oversee the committee’s work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza formally takes over its duties,” a Hamas official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The announcement represents one of Hamas’ clearest indications yet that it is ready to withdraw from direct civilian rule after months of war with Israel.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza decided to take control
The dissolution of Hamas’s governing committee paves the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, led by Palestinian official Ali Shaath, to take over administrative duties.
According to a second Hamas official quoted by France24, other Palestinian factions were informed of the decision during recent discussions in Cairo.
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“The factions welcomed the decision by Hamas and described it as a serious step towards allowing the National Committee to assume its governing role,” the official was quoted as saying.
Hamas’ media office in Gaza also said it would hold an “important press conference” later on Monday, without giving further details.
Disarmament remains unresolved despite the change in administration
Since the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel took effect last October, Hamas has repeatedly indicated that it is willing to relinquish day-to-day administration of Gaza.
However, one of the main obstacles to a wider political settlement remains unresolved. While the group appears poised to hand over civilian administration, the issue of disarming Hamas remains a major point of contention in negotiations over Gaza’s future governance and long-term stability.
