Hamas announced Monday that it had dissolved its de facto government in Gaza and would hand civilian control to a U.N.-backed committee of technocrats. The move is linked to a ceasefire plan brokered by the Trump administration but leaves open the question of disarmament.
Hamas said it had dissolved its Government Emergency Committee, which had overseen ministries in the territory. Technical staff would remain to maintain services and work under the new National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, according to Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run government media office.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem described the decision as “a positive step forward” toward implementing the ceasefire. The National Committee, based in Cairo and led by Ali Shaath, is expected to oversee civilian affairs under U.N. and Board of Peace supervision.
The Board of Peace said it would judge the announcement by actions rather than promises and stressed that the committee must control all weapons. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the move, saying Hamas aimed to avoid disarmament while keeping influence.
Fighting continued despite the ceasefire, with Gaza health officials reporting at least five deaths from Israeli strikes on Monday. The war began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
