Hamas in the Gaza Strip announced on Monday morning the resignation of its government ahead of the transfer of the territory's administration to the Technocratic Committee—the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which is expected to be established as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
At a press conference held in Gaza, a Hamas spokesperson announced that Mohammed al-Farra, chairman of the Government Emergency Committee and the acting head of the governmental administration, had submitted his resignation. The spokesperson also declared the dissolution of the Government Emergency Committee in order to facilitate the launch of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
In Israel, the announcement was met with skepticism. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described it as “a maneuver intended to prevent Hamas from being disarmed” and to preserve its position as the dominant military force.
The Peace Council, established under the ceasefire agreement, also responded cautiously to Hamas’s announcement, emphasizing that its assessment would be based on actions rather than declarations. It stressed that the fundamental principle underlying the transfer of authority to the National Committee is one authority, one law, and one weapon.
Hamas stated that the resignation of the chairman of the Government Emergency Committee, who had served as the head of Hamas’s administrative apparatus in the Gaza Strip, was “a national step” intended to advance the establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. According to Hamas, the committee was authorized under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 to oversee the Strip’s day-to-day civilian administration.
“Employees in the technical and professional ranks will continue in their positions to ensure the uninterrupted provision of services to civilians,” the organization said at the press conference. “The current heads of government institutions will serve as an interim body during the transition period. All employees will continue carrying out their duties under the authority of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.”
Qatari television network Al Jazeera reported that during the transition period, Dr. Abd al-Hadi al-Agha will serve as the interim administrator until the Technocratic Committee formally assumes its role. The committee has reportedly been awaiting Israeli approval to enter the Gaza Strip for several months.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded to Hamas’s announcement, saying:
“Hamas’s maneuver is simple: its willingness to ‘step aside’ in favor of a technocratic government is intended to prevent Hamas from being disarmed. Hamas seeks a ‘Hezbollah model’ in Gaza: the technocratic committee will be responsible for garbage collection and municipal services, while Hamas remains the dominant military force. As long as Hamas retains its weapons, the civilian government will naturally operate according to its dictates. This will allow Hamas to continue oppressing Palestinians in Gaza and pursuing its jihadist war against Israel. Israel insists on implementing the Trump plan in full, with the disarmament of Hamas and other terrorist organizations and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip at its core.”
The Peace Council, established under the ceasefire agreement and expected, among other responsibilities, to oversee the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, responded skeptically to Hamas’s move:
“We have taken note of the announcement issued today regarding the dissolution of the ‘Emergency Committee’ in Gaza,” the Peace Council said in a statement published on social media. “Ultimately, our assessment will be based on actions, not promises, when it comes to addressing the critical needs of the people of Gaza. Decisions must be comprehensive and comply with the requirements set out in the roadmap for advancing governance, security, and the transition of authority in Gaza.
“We look forward to the successful completion of discussions on this roadmap, including the necessary implementation mechanisms that will enable the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to assume full governing authority.”
The Peace Council emphasized that in order to replace the governing authority in Gaza, all weapons must be placed under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, as stipulated in the comprehensive Gaza peace plan and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
“Genuine transfer of authority must enable the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to fulfill its role independently, including by making the administrative and governing decisions entrusted to it,” the council stated.