Hamas Dissolves Gaza Government in Major Political Shift

In a landmark political development, Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of its government emergency committee in Gaza, formally stepping back from direct civilian governance of the Palestinian territory for the first time since seizing control in 2007. The move transfers administrative authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body created under the US-backed Board of Peace.

A Historic Announcement

Ismail al-Thawabta, General Director of the Hamas-run Government Media Office, made the announcement at a brief press conference at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. He confirmed that Mohammad Al-Farra, head of the Government Emergency Committee, had submitted his official resignation and that the committee was dissolved to “facilitate the administrative transition process” toward the NCAG, according to Al Jazeera.

“All employees working in service provision are ‘state employees’ and are fully prepared to work under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza,” al-Thawabta said, as reported by the Associated Press.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem framed the decision as a concession to advance peace, telling AFP: “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.” He added that Hamas affirmed its readiness to hand over governmental responsibilities to the NCAG to ensure its success.

The Technocratic Successor

The NCAG, chaired by Ali Shaath — a Gaza-born engineer and former Palestinian Authority official — was created by the Board of Peace, the entity established by President Donald Trump with the mandate of governing and rebuilding Gaza following the October 2025 ceasefire. Shaath acknowledged the announcement on social media, stating that the committee is “fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities as soon as the necessary resources and capabilities are available.” He stressed that the fundamental requirements for success include “a single authority, a single law with a clear mandate, and a single armed force under the authority of this single entity.”

Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the Board of Peace for Gaza, described the move as “the bridge between declarations and implementation,” according to Al Jazeera. However, the Board struck a cautious tone in a statement on X, saying: “Ultimately, our assessment will be guided by actions, not promises, to meet the critical needs of the people of Gaza.”

Skepticism from Israel

Israeli officials were quick to dismiss the announcement as a tactical maneuver. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X: “As long as Hamas retains its weapons, any civilian government will of course operate as Hamas dictates,” as reported by the Associated Press. An Israeli official told the Kan public broadcaster that “Hamas fears that [mediators] will declare them to be violating the agreement, and therefore it is stalling and engaging in spin,” according to the Times of Israel.

The Stalled Ceasefire Framework

The announcement comes nearly nine months after the US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect on October 10, 2025. While Phase 1 involved hostage and prisoner exchanges, Phase 2 negotiations remain deadlocked over two critical issues: Hamas’s disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Hamas has insisted on the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it will consider handing over any part of its arsenal. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its territorial control in Gaza from approximately 53% at the start of the ceasefire to at least 60%, with plans to extend to 70%, according to the Times of Israel. The NCAG has remained based in Cairo for months, reportedly unable to enter Gaza due to Israeli objections.

Mladenov acknowledged in May that the disarmament issue had paralyzed progress, stating that “you cannot build a future with armed groups running the streets, hiding in tunnels and stockpiling weapons,” as reported by AP News. The Board insists that all weapons must be consolidated under NCAG control per UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Broader Context

Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007, when it violently ousted the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority after winning legislative elections the previous year. The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, triggering the deadliest Gaza war in history. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 73,098 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and destroyed approximately 90% of the Strip.

What This Means

Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, described the announcement as “politically significant” — a concession from Hamas to move negotiations forward and pave the way for the technocratic committee. However, he stressed that the move does not mean Hamas is relinquishing its political or military role, but rather “stepping back from the direct civilian government in Gaza.”

As the La Libre Belgique noted in its original reporting, the press conference lasted barely five minutes — a brief announcement that masks the immense complexity of what comes next.

What to Watch For

The practical impact of Hamas’s announcement remains uncertain. Key questions include whether Hamas will ultimately disarm, whether Israel will allow the NCAG to enter Gaza, and whether the technocratic committee can function effectively without control over weapons. The Board of Peace has made clear it will judge by actions, not words — and the fundamental disagreements over weapons control, Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction persist. For the people of Gaza, whose territory lies largely in ruins, the gap between political declarations and tangible change on the ground remains vast.