Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body

GAZA CITY: Hamas has dissolved the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to assume responsibility for civilian administration, officials from the group said on Monday.

The move marks a significant political shift for Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since seizing the territory from the rival Fatah movement in 2007.

A Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, told Arab News the group had decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and appoint an interim figure to oversee its affairs until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) formally takes over.

“The movement has decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and appoint a nationally accepted figure to oversee the committee’s work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza formally assumes its responsibilities,” the official said.

Hamas’s media office in Gaza said it would hold a press conference later on Monday but did not provide further details.

A second Hamas official said the group had informed other Palestinian factions of the decision during a recent meeting in Cairo, adding that the factions welcomed the move as a step towards enabling the NCAG to assume its governing role.

The NCAG, headed by Palestinian official Ali Shaath, is expected to take over administrative responsibilities in Gaza.

The committee was established by the Board of Peace, a body created by U.S. President Donald Trump after he brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that took effect last October.

Since the ceasefire came into force, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to relinquish day-to-day governance of Gaza. However, the group’s future role and the question of its disarmament remain unresolved and are expected to be central issues in any long-term political settlement.