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Hamas has announced that it will dissolve the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a new technical administration to take over civilian rule. The move, announced on Monday, is part of the US-brokered peace deal signed last year and was confirmed by Ismail al-Thawabta, a Hamas media spokesman, who said Mohammed al-Farra, head of the government's emergency committee, had submitted his resignation.

"He has also decided to dissolve the committee to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)," al-Thawabta told French news agency AFP.

The NCAG, a transitional body made up of Palestinian experts, was established by US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative, which oversaw the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel that took effect in October 2025.

Coverage comparison

Reports on the announcement vary in their emphasis. Deutsche Welle framed the move as a step toward implementing the peace deal, while also noting the disconnect between the announcement and conditions on the ground. The Jerusalem Post focused on skepticism over Hamas's intentions, quoting Palestinian officials who expressed doubt that the group is willing to relinquish power. The South China Morning Post described the move as a significant political shift by Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2007 after winning legislative elections the previous year.

All reports agree that Hamas has announced the dissolution of its emergency committee and the formation of a new temporary governing body. However, they differ on the implications. Deutsche Welle highlighted the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the lack of significant changes since the announcement, while The Jerusalem Post emphasized Hamas's desire to maintain its military capabilities and governmental authority.

Key claims

  • Dissolution of emergency committee: Multiple reports confirm that Hamas announced the dissolution of its emergency committee, with Mohammed al-Farra's resignation submitted to facilitate the transition to the NCAG.
  • New governing body: Reports indicate that a new temporary governing body will run the Strip, though details on when and how the handover will take place remain unclear. The NCAG, currently based in Cairo, has been awaiting permission to enter Gaza for months.
  • Hamas's intentions: A senior Palestinian official in Ramallah told The Jerusalem Post that "Hamas hasn't declared an end to its rule in the Gaza Strip." The official said the group is seeking to maintain both its military capabilities and governmental authority, and that the announcement may be a stalling tactic. "They want to buy more time, hoping that future circumstances may work to their advantage," he said.
  • No change on the ground: Deutsche Welle reported that Gazans say institutions operate as they always did. Eyad Saleh, a 19-year-old from Gaza City, said, "There's nowhere else to go in Gaza except the institutions run by Hamas. The only entity providing services to residents is the same body that was in place before the war, with the same employees." Na'ama Saeed, who suffers from a chronic disease, said the Ministry of Health remains the only authority issuing official documents.
  • NCAG stuck in Cairo: The 15 committee members remain in Egypt's capital, awaiting Israel's permission to enter Gaza. Ghassan Khatib, a lecturer at Bir Zeit University, told DW: "There is no change, nobody is stepping in to take over." He added that neither the Americans nor the Israelis are "excited" about Hamas's move.
  • Humanitarian situation: Deutsche Welle described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as dire, though it did not provide specific details in the excerpts available.

Perspectives

Hamas: Through its spokesman, Hamas frames the dissolution of the emergency committee as a step to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition to the NCAG, indicating a willingness to step aside from day-to-day governance.

Palestinian official (Ramallah): Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, a senior Palestinian official expressed suspicion over the announcement, asserting that Hamas has not declared an end to its rule and is seeking to preserve its military and governmental authority. The official emphasized the need to implement the principle of "one authority and one weapon," with Hamas's weapons handed over to authorized Palestinian institutions.

Gazans quoted by Deutsche Welle: Residents report little change in their daily interactions with government institutions, suggesting that the existing Hamas-run bodies continue to operate as before.