Hamas to Dissolve Gaza Government Amid Israeli Concerns Over Hidden Hezbollah-style Agenda

On Monday, Hamas declared the disbandment of the emergency committee managing Gaza’s civilian governance. This step could pave the way for a new administration backed by the U.S. to assume responsibility for civilian affairs.

The intended body, called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), is intended to oversee civilian governance in Gaza following the conclusion of the war, with backing from the United States.

Hamas, labeled by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist entity, has controlled Gaza since it took over the area in 2007. It was responsible for the assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the outbreak of war. In the aftermath, Israel has remained firm in its stance that Hamas should have no role in governing or military operations in post-conflict Gaza.

This development might become a crucial test for President Donald Trump’s outlined strategy for Gaza and his broader diplomatic efforts in the region. A smooth transition could facilitate the creation of a post-war administrative body. However, critics from Israel and beyond argue that Hamas is keen to shed the burden of civilian governance but is not prepared to relinquish its military power or on-the-ground influence.

The Trump-led Board of Peace responded cautiously, saying its assessment would be “guided by actions, not promises.” The technocratic committee, which is currently based outside Gaza, has said it is prepared to begin operating once conditions allow.

But the announcement did not include a commitment by Hamas to disarm, the central demand from Israel and a core element of Trump’s post-war framework.

Alaa Abo Naddi, a Gazan teacher and political activist, said that the committee Hamas is dissolving was never the source of its real authority.

“I believe this is simply an attempt by Hamas to buy time,” Abo Naddi said. “The real question has always been whether Hamas is willing to give up its weapons and dismantle the armed groups and militias under its control.” 

He said Gaza’s civilian officials have long operated without independent authority and remain subordinate to Hamas’ security apparatus.

“In reality, even a low-ranking Hamas security officer can overrule them or have them arrested,” he said. “As long as Hamas retains its arms, this looks like an attempt to preserve its control and gain more time.”

Hadeel Oueis, editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab media outlet Jusoor News, similarly described the announcement as a “performative step” likely encouraged by one of Hamas’ regional backers.

Oueis said the move appeared intended to send Trump a message that Hamas had fulfilled its obligations and that Israel was now responsible for blocking the next phase of his plan.

“This is just a show and doesn’t change anything on the ground in reality,” Oueis told News Media. 

She noted that technical employees are expected to remain in place during the transition, arguing that Hamas would therefore remain the de facto authority unless its security and military structures were removed.

Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at Tel Aviv University’s Moshe Dayan Center, also characterized the dissolution as largely symbolic but said its timing could signal a broader diplomatic effort.

Milshtein said Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have been working with Hamas to develop a compromise that could move the stalled post-war arrangement forward, particularly on the issue of disarmament.

Rather than demanding the immediate and complete surrender of Hamas’ weapons, he said the mediators may be pushing for a gradual and partial process that Hamas could accept.

“I assess that the step Hamas took today is part of a move coordinated with Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, intended to begin advancing the broader arrangement,” Milshtein told News Media.

He said Hamas had effectively thrown the ball into Israel’s court and could now argue that it had agreed to relinquish formal government control.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected that distinction Tuesday, accusing Hamas of trying to reproduce the model used by Hezbollah in Lebanon, where an armed organization maintains military dominance while civilian institutions handle government services.

“They don’t care if others collect the garbage, provide municipal services and administer civilian affairs, if Hamas will remain the dominant military force,” Sa’ar said during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

Sa’ar said Israel would continue to insist on the “disarmament of Hamas and all other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, and its full demilitarization.”

Wadephul backed that position, saying Hamas must relinquish both its weapons and its de facto control of Gaza.

The United Nations also offered a cautiously positive response.

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organization had taken note of Hamas’ announcement concerning the dissolution of the Government Emergency Committee and the proposed transfer of administrative responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

“We welcome any step that contributes to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and advances the objectives reflected in relevant Security Council resolutions, including the full implementation of the ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid,” Dujarric said.

He added that the U.N. continued to support “efforts toward unified Palestinian governance under the Palestinian Authority.”

Milshtein said the real test would be whether the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza is allowed to enter Gaza, operate independently and exercise genuine authority, while Hamas gives up not only its civilian role but also its security and military control.