The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas, has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, following its takeover from the Palestinian Authority. Over the years, Hamas has established a range of governmental institutions responsible for providing public services, maintaining internal security and coordinating emergency responses during periods of conflict.
Hamas has dissolved its civilian governing body in Gaza
Among these institutions was the Government Emergency Committee. This has played a central role in coordinating humanitarian assistance, restoring essential services, managing civil defence efforts and supporting government ministries during times of crisis. The committee was intended to ensure continuity of governance and aid emergency operations when normal administrative systems were disrupted.
On 6 July, Ismail al-Thawabta, general director of the Government Media Office, held a press conference outside al Aqsa hospital in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza. He announced Hamas has dissolved the Government Emergency Committee, while its head, Mohammed al-Farra, had resigned.
Al-Thawabta said these moves were part of Hamas’ commitment to implement the ceasefire agreement, and hand over power to a new, Palestinian technocratic governing authority. This is known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Sending a message that Hamas is committed to ceasefire deal
The NCAG is a transitional technocratic body formed in January 2026, and appointed by Trump’s Board of Peace. It is made up of Palestinians, who are mainly from the Palestinian Authority (PA), from different professional fields and backgrounds. The chair of the NCAG is Ali Shaath, a Palestinian engineer and former PA official. There are also around 15 commissioners, who are experts in a variety of fields. These include health, education, finance, justice, housing, municipal affairs, communications and social affairs, the economy and religious affairs.
This major move sends an important political message to the US Board of Peace — Hamas is committed to the ceasefire deal, and wants to see it succeed. In a statement, Hamas claims they have now taken “the necessary administrative and legal arrangements to transfer the administrative duties to the NCAG.” These measures, it says, are an important step in implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Administrative duties on NCAG, but Israel has blocked its entry into Gaza
Hamas stated it would continue administering the Gaza Strip only “until the administration of Gaza is fully transferred to the NCAG.” But it is unclear, as yet, how this will all play out. A governing administration needs to be present on the ground in Gaza. But “Israel” has blocked the Palestinian technocratic committee from entering the Strip. It is currently stuck in Cairo, so cannot undertake its duties.
In its statement, Hamas warned that Israeli occupation actions were intended to create “a reality of administrative vacuum.” It called on mediators and guarantor states to speed up deployment of the NCAG so it could “assume its duties immediately.”
Hamas will still retain its security and policing control in the areas of Gaza still under its control. And staff in local government offices will remain. Hamas has also not relinquished its weapons. So, predictably, the Israeli occupation has dismissed Hamas’s announcement as a “ploy.” This is despite Hamas giving up civilian governance in Gaza, which Trump’s 20 point plan demanded.
The occupation argues that dissolving the Government Emergency Committee was not a genuine transfer of power. And it claims Hamas is not interested in seeing the ceasefire hold. But Hamas has repeatedly talked of its readiness to hand over administration of Gaza.
Israeli occupation has no intention of sticking to the “ceasefire” deal
It is the Israeli occupation which agreed to the “ceasefire” deal in October 2025, but has violated it in every way, multiple times daily. The Board of Peace suggested “Israel” gradually withdraw from the enclave. But, instead, the occupation publicly announced it intends to occupy 70 percent of the Strip.
It also continues its genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. The entry of humanitarian aid continues to be blocked. Between 11 October 2025 and 6 July 2026, at least 1059 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation forces (IOF).
The implementation of Trump’s “Peace Plan” remains stalled. Millions of Palestinians remain displaced, humanitarian conditions across Gaza continue to be severe, and large-scale reconstruction has yet to begin. Although Hamas’ decision represents the clearest institutional step it has taken toward implementing the governance provisions of the ceasefire agreement, whether that transition can take place depends on the NCAG being allowed to enter Gaza and establish itself on the ground.
Attention will now shift to the Israeli occupation and the international mediators overseeing the ceasefire process. With “Israeli” elections scheduled for October, Netanyahu faces significant pressures that will influence his decision-making. So prospects for fully implementing the agreement remain uncertain. And the political future of Gaza continues to depend on negotiations that have yet to produce tangible changes on the ground.
Featured image via the Canary
By Charlie Jaay
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