Hamas Says It's Ready to Hand Over Gaza Government

Hamas says it's ready to hand over Gaza's day-to-day rule—but not its guns. The group announced Monday that it will dissolve its Gaza government and cede administration to a US-backed technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, envisioned under a stalled ceasefire plan, CNN reports. The move, announced by a lower-level official, doesn't change who actually controls streets and security in the areas of Gaza not occupied by Israel, but analysts say it shifts diplomatic pressure back toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as President Trump pushes Israel to advance parts of the plan, including allowing "pilot areas" run by the committee.

Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Government Media Office, said "only technical and professional staff" would remain in their roles. the AP reports. "All employees working in service provision are 'state employees' and are fully prepared to work under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza," he said. Hamas' statement notably skipped any pledge to disarm, a key demand of the Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire, which said on X that it wants "actions, not promises" and reiterated the principle of "one authority, one law and one weapon."

The NCAG remains stuck in Cairo, blocked from entering Gaza. Experts describe Hamas' step as a tactical bid to appeal over Netanyahu's head to Washington and mediators in Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, but warn Israel still holds ultimate control over Gaza's borders and territory—meaning it could simply refuse to let the new administration in. Al-Thawabta "urged all concerned and relevant parties" to "accelerate the steps" for the NCAG to "enter quickly and assume its national and administrative duties and responsibilities."