Hamas Dissolves Gaza Governing Body... Announces Transfer of Administrative Authority for the First Time in 20 Years

Transition to Expert-Led NCAG Administration Expected

On July 6 (local time), the Palestinian militant group Hamas officially announced the dissolution of its governing body in the Gaza Strip, which it had maintained for nearly 20 years. As a result, the Gaza Strip is expected to begin transitioning to a new administration led by experts, known as the National Committee for Administrative Governance (NCAG).

Hamas’s Information Office stated, "Mohamed Al-Fara, chairman of the Emergency Committee, has submitted his resignation, and the existing Emergency Committee has been dissolved to ensure a smooth transfer of administrative authority to the National Committee for Administrative Governance (NCAG) in the Gaza Strip."

Rafa building destroyed by Israeli airstrike. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Emergency Committee was an interim administrative body operated by Hamas since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, after the existing administrative system, including government ministries and police, became paralyzed.

Hamas explained, "All civil servants are now fully prepared to provide administrative services under the jurisdiction of the NCAG as before," and added, "All administrative procedures necessary for the transfer of power have been completed."

The NCAG was established as an administrative body in line with the Gaza peace initiative promoted in October last year through the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump. This decision by Hamas is interpreted as a formal declaration of its intention to hand over postwar administrative authority to the NCAG.

Until now, the NCAG had been unable to assume actual administrative control due to issues surrounding the disarmament of Hamas and delays in the transfer of power. Hamas has claimed that the handover was postponed as postwar settlement talks with Israel were delayed.

With Hamas officially dissolving its governing body, a full-scale reorganization of the postwar administrative system in the Gaza Strip is expected to move forward. It is reported that NCAG members held preliminary meetings in Cyprus last week to prepare for the administrative transition.

According to the Trump Administration's postwar plans, the Israeli military is expected to withdraw from the Gaza Strip only after the complete disarmament of armed groups within the territory has been verified.

This marks the first time Hamas has dissolved its governing body in the Gaza Strip since it took control of the region in 2007. After winning the Palestinian general elections in 2006, Hamas formed a unity government with Fatah, but the following year, after a bloody conflict, it ousted the Fatah faction and seized control of the Gaza Strip.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.