By Zainab Bakare
The Islamist movement Hamas has dissolved the governing body that has administered the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, handing civilian authority to a newly established technocratic committee in a move that could reshape the territory’s post-war political landscape.
The decision marks a significant shift for Hamas, which has governed Gaza since seizing power from rival Fatah in 2007 following its victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.
In a statement, Hamas’ government media office says the head of the emergency committee, Mohammed al-Farra, resigned and formally dissolved the body to facilitate the transfer of administrative responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem describes the move as evidence of the group’s willingness to step away from governing Gaza, saying it removes what Hamas considers Israeli justifications for continuing military operations in the enclave.
The NCAG, headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath, was established under a peace framework brokered by former US President Donald Trump following the Gaza ceasefire reached in October 2025.
Hamas says Palestinian factions endorsed the transition during recent talks in Cairo, describing it as an important step toward enabling the committee to assume responsibility for civilian governance.
However, key issues remain unresolved. Negotiations continue to stall over Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel maintains that Hamas must not return to power, while also opposing an immediate transfer of authority to the Palestinian Authority, leaving the territory’s long-term governance uncertain.
