Hamas Prepares to Dissolve Gaza Administration, Paving Way for Technocratic Committee

Hamas is preparing to dissolve the administrative body it has controlled in the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, a move that could open the door for a newly formed technocratic committee to manage the territory. The decision represents a significant political turn for the Islamist movement, which seized control of Gaza in 2007 after clashes with Fatah.

An anonymous Hamas official told AFP that the movement has decided to dissolve the governmental committee in Gaza and appoint a figure of national consensus to oversee its work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza officially assumes its responsibilities. The Hamas government's press services announced a major press conference for later that day.

Palestinian movements meeting in Cairo have welcomed Hamas's decision, calling it a serious measure enabling the National Committee to assume governance. This development follows months after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, where the Islamist group had previously indicated a willingness to step down in favor of alternative Palestinian leadership.

However, significant hurdles remain, particularly concerning the disarmament of Hamas. The group insists it will only concede disarmament within the framework of a broader Palestinian political initiative, a condition Israel rejects. The dissolution of Hamas's administrative committee paves the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Ali Shaath, to potentially take over daily management. The NCAG was established by the Peace Council, set up under former U.S. President Donald Trump, but has been unable to operate within Gaza for months.