After Two Decades, Hamas Dissolves Governing Body in Gaza

The Hamas group has announced the dissolution of its government, which has ruled the Gaza Strip for nearly the last two decades. This dissolution will pave the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to run the civil administration in the Gaza Strip. This step marks a significant political shift for Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since its members seized it back from the rival Fatah movement in 2007. Since the ceasefire with Israel came into effect in the Gaza Strip in October last year, Hamas has repeatedly stated its readiness to withdraw from day-to-day governance affairs. However, the thorny issue of disarmament remains unresolved to this day. “The head of the government emergency committee, Mohammed al-Farra, has officially submitted his resignation. He also decided to dissolve the committee to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition to the National Committee for Gaza Administration (NCAG),” said Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas government media office, as quoted by AFP news agency on Monday (6/7/2026). “The movement has decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and appoint a nationally acceptable figure to oversee the committee’s performance until the National Committee for Gaza Administration officially takes over responsibility,” a Hamas official told AFP. The Hamas media office in Gaza stated it would hold an “important press conference” on Monday (6/7) local time, without providing further details. Another Hamas official said the group had informed other Palestinian factions about the move during a recent meeting in Cairo, Egypt. “The factions welcomed Hamas’s decision, describing it as a serious step to enable the National Committee to take over its governmental role,” the Hamas official said. The dissolution of the Hamas governing body will open the way for the National Committee for Gaza Administration (NCAG), led by senior Palestinian official Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities. The NCAG was established by the Board of Peace, formed by United States President Donald Trump when he mediated the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October last year. However, the body remained based outside Gaza for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to the NCAG’s entry into the territory devastated by the war.