Hamas has announced that it will hand over power in Gaza to a new technocratic administration.
It was agreed to by the peace board, which is overseeing the implementation of last year’s ceasefire agreement between the militants and the Israeli government.
Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by many countries, has ruled the Gaza Strip for nearly 20 years, since territory-wide elections were last held in 2006.
The Gaza Strip is considered occupied under international law because Israel continues to control all borders even after withdrawing its settlements and troops in 2005. Since the beginning of the Israeli ground offensive following the October 7 terrorist attacks in 2023, Israeli troops have returned to Gaza.
What did Hamas officials say?
“Mohammed al-Farra, the head of the government’s emergency committee, has officially submitted his resignation,” Hamas media spokesman Ismail al-Thawbta told French news agency AFP.
“They also decided to dissolve the Committee to Facilitate Administrative and Governmental Transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).”
The NCAG was established by US President Donald Trump as part of the peace deal between Hamas and Israel signed last year and partially brokered by the United States.
There were no immediate details on when or how the handover would take place, as Israel has reportedly blocked NCAG members from entering Gaza for months.
The Israeli government and Hamas are at odds over some measures in their peace deal, including the complete disarmament of the terrorist organization and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area.
Israel has also been accused of blocking the delivery of much-needed aid to Gaza at these sore points.
NCAG says it is ready to rule
“We confirm that the National Committee for Gaza Administration is fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities as soon as the necessary resources and capacities become available,” committee head Ali Shaath wrote on Twitter.
“The fundamental requirements for the success of the Committee are a single authority, a single law with a clear mandate, and a single armed force under the authority of this single entity.”
Trump’s peace board said it had taken note of Hamas’ announcement, and said it must ensure that all of its weapons are also handed over to the NCAG.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
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