The decision marks a significant political development for the Palestinian Islamist movement, which has governed Gaza since seizing control of the enclave from the rival Fatah movement in 2007 after winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.

Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of Hamas’ government media office, said Mohammed Al-Farra, who led the government’s emergency committee, had formally submitted his resignation and dissolved the committee to facilitate the transfer of administrative responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

The NCAG, headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath and based in Cairo, was established by the Board of Peace created by U.S. President Donald Trump following the ceasefire agreement brokered in October 2025.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the movement had decided to relinquish responsibility for governing Gaza in an effort to remove what it described as obstacles cited by Israel while reaffirming its willingness to transfer governmental duties to the technocratic committee.

According to a Hamas official, the movement informed other Palestinian factions of its decision during recent talks in Cairo, where the move was welcomed as a step toward enabling the NCAG to assume administrative authority in the territory.

Ali Shaath said the committee was prepared to undertake its national responsibilities once the necessary resources and operational capacity became available. However, the NCAG has remained in Cairo for several months, reportedly because Israel has objected to its entry into Gaza.

Despite the announcement, analysts said the principal obstacle to implementing a broader political transition remains unresolved.

Mkhaimar Abusada, a Gaza-based political analyst, described the move as largely symbolic, arguing that negotiations continue to hinge on Hamas’ refusal to agree to disarmament. He said the question of the group’s weapons remains the central issue preventing progress toward the second phase of the ceasefire.

Diplomatic sources involved in mediation efforts said Hamas viewed the dissolution of its governing committee as a demonstration that it was advancing the political process while shifting attention to what it regards as Israel’s failure to implement its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.

The first phase of the ceasefire included the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

Negotiations over the second phase, which envisages Hamas’ disarmament, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the establishment of a new governing administration, have remained stalled for months.

Hamas has said it will consider relinquishing its weapons only after a Palestinian governing authority is established, while Israel has rejected both a continued Hamas role in Gaza and an immediate return of the Palestinian Authority to govern the territory.

Both Hamas and Israel continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 1,072 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect. The ministry operates under Hamas administration, and its casualty figures have generally been regarded as reliable by the United Nations.

The Israeli military says five of its soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in Gaza during the same period as military operations continued despite the truce.