Hamas announced Monday that it has dissolved the emergency committee overseeing Gaza's civilian government, a step intended to pave the way for a new U.S.-backed administration to manage civilian affairs.
The proposed body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), is a U.S.-backed technocratic committee designed to oversee civilian matters in Gaza post-war. Hamas, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., has governed Gaza since 2007 and initiated the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which has insisted Hamas have no role in the territory's future governance.
This announcement presents a potential test for U.S. diplomatic frameworks for Gaza and the broader Middle East. A genuine transfer of power could advance the establishment of a post-war administration. However, critics in Israel and elsewhere suggest Hamas is relinquishing the administrative burdens of government while retaining its weapons, security apparatus, and underlying influence.
"The real question has always been whether Hamas is willing to give up its weapons and dismantle the armed groups and militias under its control," said Alaa Abo Naddi, a Gazan teacher and political activist. Abo Naddi stated that the committee Hamas is dissolving lacked independent authority and remained subordinate to the group's security forces, suggesting the move is an attempt to gain time while preserving control.
Hadeel Oueis, editor-in-chief of Jusoor News, described the dissolution as a "performative step," potentially influenced by a regional backer of Hamas. Oueis believes the move signals to the U.S. that Hamas has met its obligations, shifting responsibility to Israel for blocking the next phase of the U.S. plan. She added that Hamas would remain the de facto authority as long as its security and military structures were intact.
Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at Tel Aviv University's Moshe Dayan Center, characterized the dissolution as largely symbolic but noted its timing could indicate a broader diplomatic push. Milshtein suggested that mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, are working with Hamas on a compromise, possibly involving a gradual disarmament process rather than immediate surrender of weapons. "I assess that the step Hamas took today is part of a move coordinated with Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, intended to begin advancing the broader arrangement," Milshtein said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected the distinction, accusing Hamas of seeking to replicate Hezbollah's model in Lebanon, where an armed group maintains military dominance over civilian institutions. "They don’t care if others collect the garbage, provide municipal services and administer civilian affairs, if Hamas will remain the dominant military force," Sa’ar stated, reaffirming Israel's insistence on the disarmament and demilitarization of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul supported Israel's position, asserting that Hamas must relinquish both its weapons and its de facto control.
The United Nations acknowledged Hamas' announcement and the proposed transfer of responsibilities. U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated, "We welcome any step that contributes to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and advances the objectives reflected in relevant Security Council resolutions." The U.N. continues to support efforts toward unified Palestinian governance under the Palestinian Authority.
Milshtein indicated that the critical test would be whether the NCAG is permitted to operate within Gaza with genuine authority, independent of Hamas's civilian role and its security and military structures.