The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has announced the dissolution of its governing body in the Gaza Strip, signaling a major shift in the territory's administration. The decision paves the way for a technocratic committee known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to take over governance.
Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007, when its fighters seized power from the rival Palestinian faction Fatah. Since a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel came into effect in October 2025, the group has expressed willingness to step back from daily government responsibilities, although its disarmament remains unresolved.
Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas’s media office in Gaza, stated that the government’s emergency committee had been dissolved to facilitate the transition to the NCAG. Based in Cairo, the NCAG was established by the Board of Peace under a ceasefire plan brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the group was relinquishing control to eliminate any justification for what it described as continued Israeli aggression and a "war of extermination." Meanwhile, Ali Shaath, head of the NCAG, affirmed that his committee was prepared to assume its responsibilities once it received the necessary resources and operational capabilities. He emphasized the importance of unified authority, legal clarity, and control over a single armed force to ensure the committee's effectiveness.
The Board of Peace has reiterated the necessity for all weapons in Gaza to be consolidated under NCAG control, as outlined in the Comprehensive Gaza Peace Plan. Israel has maintained its stance demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stressed that the full implementation of the Trump plan must include demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the dismantling of all terrorist organizations’ military capabilities.
The transition marks a significant step in Gaza’s governance but leaves critical issues—particularly related to security and disarmament—still unresolved.