Hamas on Monday announced the dissolution of the body that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades, saying the territory’s civilian administration would be handed to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body tasked with managing day-to-day affairs.

The announcement marks one of the clearest indications yet that Hamas is prepared to relinquish direct administrative control, even as wider political and security questions remain unsettled.

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The old order begins to loosen its grip

The group has ruled Gaza since its fighters seized control from Fatah in 2007, after Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections the year before.

The decision came against the backdrop of a ceasefire that took effect in Gaza in October 2025, after which Hamas had repeatedly said it was willing to step aside from day-to-day governance. But the issue of its disarmament has remained unresolved, underscoring how limited the handover may be in practical terms.

The machinery of transition starts to turn

In a statement carried by Gaza’s Government Media Office, the acting head of the Government Follow-up Committee and chairman of the Emergency Committee, Mohammed Abdul Khaleq al-Farra, submitted his resignation, and the Emergency Committee was dissolved to ease the transition.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the group would “no longer be in charge of the Gaza Strip,” adding that Hamas hoped to hand over responsibilities to the new committee.

Ali Shaath, head of the NCAG, said the committee was “fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities” once the required resources were in place.

Beyond the ceremony lies the real test

The NCAG is reported to be based in Cairo and was created under the Board of Peace established by US President Donald Trump as part of the ceasefire framework.

Hamas said the move was meant to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition, while reports also noted that the committee has not yet taken control on the ground.

Israel has ruled out allowing Hamas to govern Gaza but has also rejected a direct Palestinian Authority takeover at this stage, leaving the shape of any future administration uncertain.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did Hamas dissolve its Gaza governing body?

Ans: Hamas said it dissolved the governing body to transfer civilian administrative responsibilities to a technocratic committee overseeing Gaza’s governance.

Q2: Who will govern Gaza after Hamas’ decision?

Ans: Hamas said the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a technocratic body, will take over civilian administrative functions.