Hamas, Palestinian groups held several rounds of talks in Cairo, particularly over second phase of Gaza ‘ceasefire’
Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas’ government media office, addresses a press conference at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip on July 6, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
The Palestinian movement Hamas announced on Monday that it had dissolved its governing body in the Gaza Strip after nearly 20 years in power, paving the way for a technocratic committee to administer the territory.
The move marked a significant political shift by Hamas, which has administered Gaza since it gained control from rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007. Since a ceasefire took effect in Gaza last October between Hamas and Israel, the group has repeatedly asserted it is prepared to step aside from day-to-day governance, but the issue of its disarmament remains unresolved due to repeated Israeli ceasefire violations.
“The movement has decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and to appoint a nationally accepted figure to oversee the committee’s work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza formally assumes its responsibilities,” a Hamas official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk publicly on the matter.
Hamas’s media office in Gaza said it would hold “an important press conference” later on Monday, without providing details. A second Hamas official said the group had already informed other Palestinian factions of the move at a recent meeting in Cairo.
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“The factions welcomed Hamas’s decision, describing it as a serious step towards enabling the National Committee to take up its governing role,” the official said.
The dissolution of the Hamas body paved the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Palestinian official Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities.
The NCAG was established by the Board of Peace, which was in turn set up by US President Donald Trump when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel last October.
But it has remained based outside Gaza for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the war-devastated territory.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have held several rounds of talks in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, particularly over the second phase of the Gaza “ceasefire”.
The first phase involved the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.
The transition to the second phase, which was to involve Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has been stalled for months.
Israeli forces have actually expanded their presence in the territory in recent months, taking control of nearly 70%.
Meanwhile, Hamas is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it will consider handing over any part of its arsenal.
The question of Gaza’s post-war governance remains one of the main sticking points in negotiations on implementing phase two.
Israel rejected any return of Hamas to power, but also rejected a direct takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, while constantly expanding illegal settlements in the enclave.
