Hamas announced on Monday that it would dissolve its government in Gaza and hand power to a group of Palestinian technocrats, as it sought to revive a stalled US-backed peace plan and pressed Israel to implement its remaining provisions.
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Hamas' statement did not address disarmament, a key requirement of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement that the group has so far rejected, as cited by AFP.
The announcement is unlikely to change the situation on the ground, where Hamas and its security forces continue to control parts of Gaza not occupied by the Israeli military.
However, the move shifts attention back to Israel's role in implementing the ceasefire agreement, as US President Donald Trump has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the next phase of the plan.
That phase includes the creation of "pilot areas" in Gaza to be administered by a committee of Palestinian technocrats.
Hamas called on mediators and the international community to press Israel to allow the committee to enter Gaza.
“We call on all concerned and relevant parties to immediately accelerate the steps for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to enter quickly and assume its national and administrative duties and responsibilities, in order to strengthen the steadfastness of our noble Palestinian people and heal their wounds,” said Ismail al-Thwabta, the head of the Hamas’ Government Media Office in a statement.
The Trump-appointed Board of Peace, established to monitor the plan, acknowledged Hamas' announcement but said, "ultimately, our assessment will be guided by actions, not promises, to meet the critical needs of the people of Gaza."
There was no immediate response from Israel. Hamas has accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and failing to implement other parts of the agreement, which calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza as Hamas lays down its weapons.
Gaza remains devastated more than two-and-a-half years after the conflict was triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
