Hamas to dissolve Gaza governing body

The Palestinian group Hamas has announced the dissolution of the body that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades, saying it will be replaced by a technocratic committee to oversee civilian administration in the territory.

Officials of the group, which has long been in conflict with Israel, announced the move on July 6, 2026.

The decision is aimed at restructuring governance in Gaza, replacing military administration with civilian rule.

Since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October 2025, the group has repeatedly indicated that it was preparing to step back from day-to-day governance in Gaza, although expectations over disarmament remain uncertain.

A Hamas official said: “The movement has approved the dissolution of the Gaza governing committee and the appointment of a single national-level official who will oversee the committee’s work until a national committee is established to govern Gaza.”

Gaza’s media office said it would hold a press briefing to explain the decision.

Another Hamas official said the group had already communicated the decision to the Palestinian side during meetings in Cairo, Egypt.

He said: “They accepted Hamas’s decision, describing it as a practical step toward allowing a national committee to assume responsibilities.”

The dissolution of the committee will lead to the creation of a broader Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), to be led by Ali Shaath, which will assume governance responsibilities.

The NCAG was originally established under Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” during U.S.-led efforts to mediate an end to the three-year war between Hamas and Israel.

However, the NCAG has been operating outside Gaza for several months. Hamas and Palestinian officials have held talks in Cairo, alongside international mediators, in an effort to resolve outstanding differences.

Israeli forces have expanded their presence in Gaza in recent months to about 70% of the territory. Israel has opposed any return of Hamas to governing the enclave.

Hamas, meanwhile, has said it would only disarm once a Palestinian governing authority is established, arguing that it should not be left vulnerable.

Hamas began governing the Gaza Strip in 2007. After winning parliamentary elections in 2006, it briefly formed a unity government with Fatah, the main Palestinian political faction.

However, in 2007, the two factions split violently, after which Hamas took full control of Gaza and established its own governing institutions.