Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body to clear path for technocratic committee
Hamas said it is ending its Gaza governing body as a planned technocratic committee waits to take over civilian administration.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Hamas announced the dissolution of Gaza's governing body on Monday, a step meant to open the way for a technocratic committee to run civilian affairs in the enclave, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. The move could affect talks over Gaza's postwar administration, though Hamas has not said it will give up its political or military role.
The announcement concerns the Government Emergency Committee, led by Mohammed al-Farra. Gaza's Government Media Office said al-Farra had submitted his resignation and declared the committee dissolved to show commitment to agreed arrangements and ease an administrative handover, according to Al Jazeera.
Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007, when its fighters took control from Fatah after the group won Palestinian legislative elections the year before, Al Jazeera reported. Since a United States-brokered ceasefire with Israel took effect last October, Hamas has repeatedly said it was willing to leave day-to-day governing work, while the issue of its disarmament has remained unsettled.
Committee expected to take civilian role
A Hamas official told AFP that the group wants the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to enter the territory quickly. The committee, known as the NCAG, is intended to oversee Gaza's future civilian administration under a US-backed plan, according to Al Jazeera and AFP.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP that the group was taking another step away from control of the Gaza Strip and was ready to hand government duties to the NCAG. He said Hamas wanted the committee to begin work swiftly.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, described the decision as politically significant. He said it appeared to be a concession by Hamas intended to help negotiations and allow a technocratic body to take responsibility after months of growing administrative gaps in Gaza.
Mahmoud also said the announcement should not be read as Hamas giving up its wider political or military presence in Gaza. He said the group was stepping back from direct civilian administration.
Israel and US-backed body remain factors
Ali Shaath, head of the NCAG, welcomed the announcement in a post on social media, according to Al Jazeera. Shaath said the committee was prepared to take on its responsibilities once the necessary resources and capacity are available.
Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative overseeing the US-founded Board of Peace for Gaza, said the decision showed the need to bring roadmap talks to a successful conclusion, Al Jazeera reported. He said the NCAG could assume its duties once the remaining implementation terms are agreed.
The NCAG has been based outside Gaza for months, reportedly because Israel has objected to its entry into the enclave, according to Al Jazeera. Israel has ruled out Hamas continuing to govern Gaza, while also rejecting, for now, a direct takeover by the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.