Hamas Spokesperson Hazem Qassem Denies Refusing Gaza Governance, Says Cairo Committee Ready

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem denied allegations that the movement is refusing to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip, calling claims from some on the Board of Peace “misleading lies intended to provide cover for the occupation to continue its aggression.”

“Hamas denies reports that it rejects handing over governance in the Gaza Strip, describing the statements by some parties in the Peace Council on this matter as deceptive lies aimed at providing cover for the occupation to continue its aggression”

Al-Jazeera Net

Qassem said Hamas is “fully and unequivocally ready to transfer all governing responsibilities in Gaza, including security files, to a national committee based in Cairo that was previously agreed upon.”

Al-Jazeera Net

The dispute was framed as part of difficulties advancing to the second phase of an agreement that took effect Oct. 10, with Hamas accusing Israel of escalating field violations and breaching the accord.

Roya News also reported Qasem’s claim that Southern Command chief Yani Asor disclosed military plans to “absorb 70 percent of the Gaza Strip,” which Qasem said followed the circulation of the governance-retention allegations.

In a statement carried by Al-Jazeera Net, Qassem renewed Hamas’ “complete readiness to hand over all spheres of governance, including security, to the National Committee located in the Egyptian capital Cairo.”

Al-Jazeera Net also said Qassem accused Nikolai Miladinenov of complicating matters by tying “all tracks to a single issue in the agreement,” contrary to the vision laid out by U.S. President Trump for peace in the Gaza Strip.

Middle East Monitor

The same outlet reported that Qassem condemned the Peace Council’s and Miladov’s “deafening silence” regarding Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration to order the army to seize 70% of the Gaza Strip, surpassing the percentage previously set in ceasefire understandings (53%).

Al-Jazeera Net further quoted a member of the National Committee who asked not to be named, saying that claims about the committee entering the sector after Eid al-Adha to assume its duties were “not true at all.”

Al-Jazeera Net said Israel continues to escalate its violations of the ceasefire agreement that went into effect on October 11, 2025, and it disclaims its obligations regarding the humanitarian protocol and withdrawal and reconstruction.

“Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio”

Roya News

The outlet reported that the Health Ministry in the sector was counting 933 martyrs and 2,868 injuries, and it said 781 martyr bodies had been recovered since the start of the fragile agreement.

It also cited a total toll since October 7, 2023 of 72,942 martyrs and 172,967 injuries, according to the latest tally reported today Tuesday.

Al-Jazeera Net added that the National Committee member said the committee “will not enter before the formation of an international stability force and its deployment in the buffer zones between the occupying forces and Gaza,” after which the committee would be present at every site from which Israel withdraws according to the signed agreement.