Hamas has officially announced its intention to relinquish power in the Gaza Strip, shifting authority to a new technical administration. This decision aligns with an agreement mediated by the Board of Peace, which has been monitoring the execution of the ceasefire deal established last year between the militant group and the Israeli government.
Ismail al-Thawabta, a media spokesman for Hamas, confirmed to the French news agency AFP that Mohammed al-Farra, the head of the government’s emergency committee, has formally resigned. According to al-Thawabta, the committee is being dissolved to pave the way for the administrative transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Hamas has maintained control over the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, following the region’s last elections in 2006. Under international law, the territory is considered occupied, as Israel has retained control over all borders despite withdrawing its soldiers and settlements in 2005. Since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks, Israeli forces have returned to the region as part of a ground invasion.
While the transition plan has been announced, specific details regarding the timeline and implementation remain unclear. Reports indicate that Israel has prevented members of the NCAG from entering Gaza for several months. Additionally, significant friction persists between Israel and Hamas regarding key components of their peace agreement, such as the total disarmament of the militant group and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area. Israel has also faced accusations of obstructing the delivery of essential aid to the region due to these ongoing disputes.
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