Hamas has announced the dissolution of the body that has administered Gaza during the war, paving the way for a technocratic committee to take over civilian governance in the besieged territory.
The move marks a significant political development for Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007 after taking control from Fatah following its victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.
Since a US-brokered ceasefire with Israel took effect last October, Hamas has repeatedly said it is prepared to step back from day-to-day governance in Gaza. However, the question of its disarmament remains unresolved.
In a statement released by Gaza’s Government Media Office, Mohammed al-Farra, head of the government’s emergency committee, announced his resignation and the dissolution of the Government Emergency Committee on Monday.
The statement said the decision was intended to demonstrate commitment to agreed arrangements and facilitate the administrative transition process.
Hamas said it supports the swift entry of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which is expected to oversee civilian administration under a US-backed plan for the territory.
The committee is intended to manage Gaza’s civil affairs as part of wider efforts to implement post-war arrangements in the enclave.
Hamas has framed the move as a step to remove Israeli justifications for continuing its military campaign in Gaza, while stating its readiness to hand over governmental responsibilities to the committee.
The head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, Ali Shaath, welcomed the announcement and said the committee was prepared to assume its responsibilities once the required resources and conditions were in place.
Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative overseeing the US-founded Board of Peace for Gaza, said the decision was an important step towards implementing the agreed roadmap.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza has remained outside the territory for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry.
Israel has said it will not allow Hamas to govern Gaza, while also rejecting, at this stage, a direct takeover by the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank.
