Hamas Officially Dissolves Gaza Government After 19 Years, Transfers Authority

Hamas has officially announced the dissolution of its government in the Gaza Strip after almost two decades in power. Civilian administrative authority will now be transferred to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). The NCAG is a transitional body led by Palestinian technocrats, established as part of a peace plan supported by the United States and the United Nations. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Gaza Government Media Office, stated that all Hamas government ranks would end their terms, while technical and professional staff would be retained to ensure public services remain uninterrupted. He said all employees working in service provision are civil servants fully prepared to work under the NCAG. The move was described by Hamas as part of the implementation of a ceasefire agreement. Spokesman Hazem Qassem called the dissolution a positive step forward to support the transition towards a new administration in Gaza. The NCAG was formed in January 2026 under UN Security Council Resolution 2803. It is led by technocrats, including Acting Commissioner Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, and is designed as a neutral transitional government. Although established, NCAG members have not yet been permitted by Israel to enter the Gaza Strip, so operations are temporarily being conducted from Cairo, Egypt. Al-Thawabta urged all parties to expedite the process, calling for the NCAG to be allowed to enter Gaza and assume its national and administrative responsibilities to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people and aid their recovery. Unlike the previous Hamas government, the NCAG is focused on managing civil affairs, including restoring health services, education, water supplies, and day-to-day administration. It will also oversee internal security through the formation of a unified police force tasked with maintaining law and order. The body reports to the High Commissioner on President Trump’s Peace Council and the UN Security Council, before power is expected to transfer to the Palestinian Authority in 2027. Shaath stated the NCAG is ready to take over governance once all basic requirements are met, stressing the need for a single governing authority, a clear legal framework, and a unified security apparatus. Despite handing over civil governance, Hamas did not explicitly state it would disarm, only mentioning readiness to transfer security responsibilities as part of the transition. This prompted rejection from Israel, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calling the move a deception, claiming Hamas seeks to emulate Hezbollah’s model in Lebanon by allowing a civil administration to manage public services while remaining the primary military force. Israel insists on the full implementation of the Trump plan, with the core principle being the disarmament of Hamas and all terrorist organisations and the total demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip. Analysts suggest the decision is an attempt by Hamas to demonstrate to the Trump administration its willingness to relinquish governmental control, thereby removing a perceived obstacle to the peace process. Despite the dissolution, the situation in Gaza remains tense, with negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire stalled over disagreements on disarmament, humanitarian aid, Israeli troop withdrawal, and reconstruction plans. Israeli attacks have continued, with at least 73,098 Palestinians reported killed since the war began in October 2023, and over 1,000 more since the US-mediated ceasefire was agreed in October 2025. Israel still controls approximately 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip.