Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body after nearly two decades, paving way for technocratic rule: ‘A new step’

Has Hamas given up administration of the Gaza Strip as part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan? 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 implement civilian rule.

The move marks a significant political shift by Hamas, which has run Gaza since its fighters seized control from rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007 after winning legislative elections the previous year.

According to an Al Jazeera report, Gaza's Governmental Emergency Committee has informed that its leadership has submitted its resignation and is ready to fully hand over administration to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The move comes in response to the “higher interests” of Palestinians in Gaza, citing the “continuing war, blockade, delayed reconstruction, and Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the territory”.

Earlier, France 24 reported, citing officials in the know, that Hamas was preparing to dissolve the body that had governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to implement civilian rule.

Since a ceasefire took effect in Gaza last October between Hamas and Israel, the group has repeatedly said it is prepared to step aside 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' 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)."

The NCAG was created by the Board of Peace that President Trump established when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October 2025

“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 aggression and war of extermination,” AFP quoted Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem as saying.

“We hope for the swift entry of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, and Hamas affirms its readiness to hand over governmental responsibilities to the committee to ensure its success.”

Emergency committee cites war, blockade and reconstruction delays

In a statement, the Governmental Emergency Committee said it had decided to relinquish its authority in response to the "higher interests" of Palestinians in Gaza.

The committee pointed to the "continuing war, blockade, delayed reconstruction, and Israel's refusal to withdraw from the territory" as the reasons behind its decision.

It added that all administrative arrangements for the transition had been completed and urged international mediators to facilitate the immediate entry of the National Committee into Gaza.

"Preparations for the transfer of authority have been completed," the committee said, calling on mediators to ensure the National Committee could begin carrying out its duties, "thereby strengthening the resilience of our people and helping to heal their wounds".

Hamas prepares to step back from civilian administration

Officials from Hamas said the movement had resolved to dismantle the governing body that has overseen Gaza since the group seized control of the territory from rival Palestinian faction Fatah in 2007.

"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 authorised to talk publicly on the matter.

The announcement represents one of Hamas's clearest indications yet that it is prepared to withdraw from direct civilian administration following months of war with Israel.

National Committee for the Administration of Gaza set to assume control

The dissolution of Hamas's governing committee clears the path for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, led by Palestinian official Ali Shaath, to take over administrative responsibilities.

According to a second Hamas official quoted by France24, other Palestinian factions were informed of the decision during recent discussions in Cairo.

"The factions welcomed Hamas's decision, describing it as a serious step towards enabling the National Committee to take up its governing role," the official reportedly said.

Hamas's media office in Gaza also announced that it would hold "an important press conference" later on Monday, without providing further details.

Disarmament remains unresolved despite governance shift

Since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect last October, Hamas has repeatedly indicated that it is willing to relinquish day-to-day governance of Gaza.

However, one of the central obstacles to a broader political settlement remains unresolved. While the group appears ready to hand over civilian administration, the question of Hamas's disarmament continues to be a major point of contention in negotiations over Gaza's future governance and long-term stability.