Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body, paving way for new civilian administration

Hamas on Monday announced the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, marking a major political shift.

The Palestinian Islamist group has ruled Gaza since 2007, when it seized control of the territory from its rival, Fatah, after winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.

The latest move comes months after a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025.

While Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to step away from day-to-day governance, key issues such as the group's disarmament and Gaza's long-term political future remain unresolved.

Hamas announces transfer of governance

According to a report by news agency AFP, Mohammed al-Farra, head of Hamas' government emergency committee, has officially resigned and dissolved the governing body.

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Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas' government media office, said the decision was taken to facilitate the transfer of civilian administration to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

The NCAG was established by the Board of Peace, created by US President Donald Trump after he brokered the Gaza ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October 2025. The committee is headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the group had decided to step aside from governing Gaza to remove what it described as Israel's justification for continuing military operations in the territory. He added that Hamas was ready to hand over government responsibilities to ensure the new committee's success.

Palestinian factions welcome the move

A Hamas official told AFP that the group had informed other Palestinian factions about its decision during recent meetings in Cairo.

According to the official, the factions welcomed the move and described it as an important step towards allowing the NCAG to begin governing Gaza.

However, despite its formation, the committee has remained outside Gaza for months because of reported Israeli objections to its entry into the territory.

Key issues remain unresolved

Although Hamas has agreed to step back from civilian governance, negotiations over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire remain stalled.

The first phase of the agreement included the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.

The next phase was expected to include Hamas' disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, talks have made little progress, and Israeli forces have expanded their presence in the territory in recent months, reportedly controlling nearly 70 per cent of Gaza.

Hamas has maintained that it will only consider giving up its weapons after a Palestinian administration is established in Gaza. Israel, meanwhile, has ruled out both a return of Hamas to power and an immediate takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.