Hamas announces it will relinquish control of Gaza

Darwin, 07 July : The current Hamas-led government has announced the dissolution of its governing authority in the besieged Gaza Strip, paving the way for a new administrative structure. As part of the process, the government’s Emergency Committee has been dissolved, and its acting chairman, Mohammed Abdul Khaleq Al-Farra, has officially resigned.

According to an official statement released on Monday, the move is intended to facilitate the transfer of Gaza’s civilian governance and administrative responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

The Gaza Government Media Office said all necessary legal and administrative procedures have been completed to hand over the government’s institutions to the new administration. The transition plan has been presented to a national committee comprising representatives of various Palestinian political factions, tribal and clan leaders, and civil society organizations, with a United Nations observer also in attendance.

The government said the decision reflects its commitment to easing the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing Israeli military offensive and blockade, as well as implementing agreements reached among Palestinian factions during talks in Cairo.

To prevent any administrative vacuum and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public services during the transition period, only technical and professional civil servants will remain in their positions. They will continue performing their duties under the authority of the incoming administration.

Meanwhile, Israel dismissed the leadership change as “deceptive.” According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, an unnamed Israeli official said the resignations carry no real significance because the current administration’s members remain in their positions.

The official claimed Hamas was using the move to evade responsibility for alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement and to buy time. In contrast, the non-partisan National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), composed of prominent Palestinian national figures, said it is ready to assume administrative responsibilities inside Gaza as soon as the necessary conditions and operational capacity are in place. Although the committee has been operating from Cairo since mid-January, it has yet to begin work inside Gaza.

The announcement comes as Hamas and international mediators continue discussions aimed at reaching the second phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. On September 29 last year, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace initiative to end the Gaza war, calling for the release of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the formation of a technocratic government.

Although the plan’s first phase came into effect on October 10, Hamas says it has fulfilled its obligations while accusing Israel of violating the agreement by continuing daily military attacks.

Since the Israeli military campaign began in October 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and over 173,000 people injured in Gaza. These casualty figures are reported by Gaza authorities and have not been independently verified.