Hamas Dissolves Gaza Governing Body Ahead of Power Transfer to National Committee

Hamas announced on Monday that it was dissolving the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades as it prepares to hand over power to a technocratic committee backed by President Donald Trump.

“The Palestinian group Hamas has announced the dissolution of the body that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades, paving the way for a technocratic committee to implement civilian rule in the war-ravaged, besieged territory”

Al Jazeera

NBC News reported that Hamas said its “Emergency Committee” had resigned and expressed “full readiness” to transfer authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

Al Jazeera

The NBC News account said the NCAG describes itself as a “transitional, technocratic, and apolitical Palestinian committee” and that it was established in January under Trump’s “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.”

NBC News also said Trump’s plan outlined that the committee governing Gaza would be overseen by the president’s “Board of Peace,” and that a meeting of the board was held last month in Cyprus to discuss peace efforts in the enclave.

NBC News added that Palestinian health officials said more than 72,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its assault following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

The Nightly reported that Hamas described its move as a step forward in a US-backed plan for the enclave, while Israel dismissed it as a “stunt,” and the Board of Peace said it had “taken note” but that its “assessment will be guided by actions, not promises.”

The Nightly quoted Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissing Hamas’s announcement, saying the group’s “apparent willingness to ‘make room’ for a technocratic government is designed to prevent its own disarmament.”

DIE WELT

The Jerusalem Post said a diplomatic source told the paper Hamas’s announcement was still insufficient to allow the technocratic government (NCAG) to enter Gaza, and it cited Hamas reportedly refusing to allow access to weapons stored in tunnels as part of the demilitarization process.

The Jerusalem Post also quoted the Board of Peace response that “The core principle remains: one authority, one law, and one weapon,” linking that to consolidation of arms under the NCAG.

In the same Jerusalem Post account, Nickolay Mladenov emphasized the importance of his roadmap, describing it as “the bridge between declarations and implementation,” and said that once outstanding provisions are agreed, “the decommissioning of weapons and the withdrawal of Israeli forces can begin.”

NBC News said Hamas’ announcement is seen as being largely symbolic and makes no mention of the group’s disarmament, which Israel requires for a lasting peace deal to proceed.

“Israel's foreign minister said Monday thatHamas'sdissolution of its governing body inGazawas a "trick" to avoid disarming, as demanded by Israel and the US-brokered peace plan underPresident Donald Trump”

Hindustan Times

In the Al Jazeera account, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP that the decision was taken “in order to remove any pretexts for the occupation, which continues its aggression and war of extermination,” while the article said the question of disarmament remained unresolved.

Al Jazeera reported that the NCAG head Ali Shaath welcomed Hamas’s move and wrote that the committee was “fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities as soon as the necessary resources and capabilities are available,” while Nickolay Mladenov said the decision “underscores the importance of bringing the roadmap discussions to a successful conclusion.”

The Nightly reported that Israeli troops control more than 60 per cent of the Gaza Strip and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not withdraw from the territory, framing the stakes for any transition to the NCAG.

NBC News concluded by noting that hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in tent camps across the enclave in desperate conditions as they await rebuilding efforts amid an ongoing ceasefire marked by continued deadly airstrikes by the Israeli military.