Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body to allow technocratic administration
Hamas said it has dissolved the body that governed Gaza for nearly two decades, paving the way for a technocratic administration. The move follows repeated statements by the group that it is ready to step back from daily governance.
CAIRO: Hamas said on Monday it had dissolved the body that has administered the Gaza Strip for nearly 20 years, a step that clears the way for a technocratic committee to take over civilian management of the territory.
The group has governed Gaza since 2007, after wresting control from the rival Fatah movement following legislative elections the previous year. Since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October, Hamas has repeatedly indicated it is willing to withdraw from day-to-day administration, although the question of its disarmament remains unsettled.
Ismail al-Thawabta, who heads Hamas’ government media office, said Mohammed al-Farra, chairman of the government’s emergency committee, had formally tendered his resignation and moved to dissolve the committee to ease the transfer of authority.
“The head of the government’s emergency committee Mohammed al-Farra has officially submitted his resignation,” Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas’ government media office told AFP. “He has also decided to dissolve the committee to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).”
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, or NCAG, is set to assume the civilian role in the enclave. The decision marks a notable political shift for Hamas as discussions continue over how Gaza should be run after months of war and under the current ceasefire arrangements.
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