Hamas has announced its readiness to dissolve its administration in Gaza and transfer governing authority to a Palestinian technocratic committee, in a move seen as an attempt to revive stalled ceasefire efforts.
The announcement was made on Monday by the head of Hamas’ Government Media Office (GMO), Ismail al-Thwabta.
Al-Thwabta said the group was prepared to hand over governance of the enclave to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body proposed under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework.
He, however, made no reference to Hamas disarming, a key requirement of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement that Israel has consistently demanded.
The announcement comes amid stalled implementation of the ceasefire plan, which has faced setbacks over disagreements between the parties.
Al-Thwabta called on international mediators and the global community to press Israel to allow the committee to enter Gaza and begin its work.
“We call on all concerned and relevant parties to immediately accelerate the steps for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to enter quickly and assume its national and administrative duties and responsibilities,” he said.
According to him, Hamas had completed all administrative and legal arrangements required for the transfer of authority.
He added that approximately 60,000 employees currently serving under the Hamas administration would continue as state workers under the proposed committee.
The Board of Peace, established to support implementation of the ceasefire agreement, acknowledged Hamas’ announcement but said it would judge the group by its actions rather than its statements.
In a statement, the board reiterated that any future governance arrangement in Gaza must be based on “one authority, one law and one weapon,” while again calling on Hamas to disarm.
Analysts said the announcement appeared aimed at increasing diplomatic pressure on Israel to move forward with the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations, described the move as an effort by Hamas to demonstrate its willingness to relinquish civilian governance.
He said the group hoped the announcement would encourage stronger international pressure on Israel to implement outstanding provisions of the agreement.
Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at Tel Aviv University, said the announcement was intended to facilitate a breakthrough in the stalled negotiations.
According to him, key mediators, including Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, are seeking to demonstrate progress in the peace process.
Despite the announcement, Hamas continues to exercise control over parts of Gaza not occupied by Israeli forces, while the timeline for any transition of authority to the technocratic committee remains uncertain.
The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect in October, has faced significant implementation challenges.
While the first phase envisaged a complete cessation of hostilities, reports indicate that fighting has continued, with Israeli military operations ongoing in parts of Gaza.
The proposed international force expected to secure parts of the territory and facilitate the committee’s assumption of governance has also yet to be deployed.
