Hamas Dissolves Gaza Governing Body, Paving Way for Technocratic Committee

On July 6, 2026, Hamas announced the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades. Mohammed al-Farra, head of the government's emergency committee, officially submitted his resignation and decided to dissolve the emergency committee. The move is intended to facilitate a transition of civilian governance to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body composed of Palestinian technocrats from Gaza tasked with overseeing daily civilian affairs in the enclave.

Hamas has governed Gaza since winning legislative elections in 2006 and seizing full control from Fatah in 2007. Following that electoral victory, fighting broke out between Hamas and Fatah, resulting in Hamas consolidating control of Gaza while Fatah consolidated control of the West Bank via the Palestinian Authority.

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was reached in 2025, brokered with US, Qatari, and Egyptian involvement. The first phase involved the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. The second phase was to involve Hamas's disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but negotiations on phase two have been stalled for months.

Despite the dissolution announcement, the NCAG has remained based outside Gaza—in Cairo—for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the territory. Israeli forces have expanded their military presence in Gaza in recent months and now control nearly 70% of Gaza's territory.

Israel dismissed Hamas's dissolution of its governing body as a 'stunt,' while also calling for the 'complete demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip' in response to the announcement.

Left-leaning outlets reported that the NCAG was created by the Board of Peace, a body established by US President Donald Trump when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October 2025. According to the Board of Peace, it 'took note' of Hamas's dissolution decision and called for the 'consolidation of all weapons under the control of the NCAG.'

Ali Shaath, a Palestinian technocrat heading the NCAG, stated the committee is fully prepared to assume civilian governance once necessary resources and capabilities are available. "A single authority, single law, and single armed force" are fundamental requirements, according to Shaath. Hamas has informed other Palestinian factions of its dissolution decision at a recent meeting in Cairo, and those factions welcomed the decision.

Left-leaning outlets characterized Hamas's position as one of readiness to step aside from day-to-day governance since the ceasefire, but demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before considering handing over any part of its arsenal. Center outlets noted that Israel rejects any return of Hamas to power and also rejects a direct takeover by the Palestinian Authority at this stage, with post-war governance of Gaza remaining one of the main sticking points in phase-two negotiations.

Left-leaning outlets reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated that Israel plans to increase its territorial control of Gaza. According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, as cited by left-leaning outlets, Trump's 'Board of Peace' is overseeing a plan to move Palestinians into so-called 'Hamas-free humanitarian zones.'

Left-leaning outlets reported that Israel has restricted the entry of aid into Gaza and has killed over 1,000 people since the ceasefire was signed. The same outlets cited a figure of over 73,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict. These casualty figures originate from the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas administration.