On July 6, 2026, Hamas announced it would dissolve its government in the Gaza Strip, transitioning power to a new Palestinian-run authority. This decision comes amid a stalled U.S.-backed peace process and ongoing Israeli bombardments, which have resulted in significant casualties in Gaza.
Overview of Hamas's Announcement
During a press conference at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah, Ismail al-Thawabta, general director of the Government Media Office, stated that Hamas's head of administration, Mohammed al-Farra, resigned. The governing power will be handed over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a committee backed by the United Nations.
Al-Thawabta emphasized that only technical staff would remain in their positions to ensure the administration of daily affairs in the Strip. He noted, “All employees working in service provision are ‘state employees’ and are fully prepared to work under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.”
The New Gaza Administration: NCAG
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) was established in January 2026, following UN Security Council’s Resolution 2803 as part of a U.S.-mediated peace plan. The committee is composed of Palestinian technocrats, including Acting Commissioner Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, who are perceived as neutral and non-partisan.
Despite its formation, the NCAG has yet to operate within Gaza as Israel has not permitted its members to enter the region. The committee currently operates from Cairo and is tasked with managing civilian affairs, including restoring health, education, and water services, while also maintaining law and order.
Implications of Hamas's Decision
Hamas's dissolution of its government raises questions about the group's future, particularly regarding disarmament. While Israel and the U.S. have called for disarmament as a precondition for the next phase of the peace process, Hamas claims Israel has not fulfilled its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.
In its announcement, Hamas did not explicitly mention disarmament but expressed readiness to transfer security responsibilities to the NCAG as part of the governance transition. Al-Thawabta stated, “We hope that this important step on the ground will help bring an end to the aggression, stop the genocide, secure the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, reopen the crossings to allow the entry of aid trucks and end the policy of starvation.”
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
