Hamas is expected to announce that it will dissolve its governing structure in the Gaza Strip, according to a report by the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, which cited two sources within the organisation. The reported move would mark a significant shift in the group’s administrative role in the enclave, where it has held de facto governing authority since 2007.
According to the report, Hamas leadership intends to dismantle the Governmental Follow-up Committee, which has functioned as the group’s administrative government in Gaza. The sources said the announcement could be made imminently, with one indicating it could take place on Monday, while another described the timing as close but not confirmed.
A Hamas source cited by Haaretz said internal assessments within the organisation suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not intend to advance a comprehensive agreement, but may instead present proposals perceived as flexible to international mediators, including the Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov.
Palestinian sources familiar with the discussions said the proposed dismantling is intended to signal readiness to transfer governing responsibilities to a technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. However, the same sources said neither Israel nor Mladenov has agreed to the proposed arrangement at this stage.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, two Hamas sources said the intended purpose of the move is to allow a technocratic committee to assume responsibility for civilian administration in Gaza. Additional Palestinian sources involved in the exchanges said the step is aimed at creating conditions conducive to advancing the next phase of a broader agreement framework.
The technocratic committee referenced in the discussions was established around six months ago as part of a 20-point plan for Gaza but has not yet begun operating, partly due to opposition from Israel, according to the report. The committee is intended to oversee civilian governance in the territory under proposed transitional arrangements.
The sources also said new negotiations are expected to take place this week in Cairo, with representatives from Hamas and other Palestinian factions anticipated to participate. The talks are aimed at narrowing differences over the second phase of a ceasefire agreement reached in October, according to the report.
Discussions in Cairo are also focused on broader arrangements for Gaza’s future governance, including the sensitive issue of Hamas disarmament. According to Palestinian sources familiar with the negotiations, draft texts under consideration have replaced language requiring Hamas to “hand over” its weapons with wording that it would instead “lay down” its arms.
The change in terminology is described in the report as significant, as it would not require direct surrender of weapons to Israel. Instead, arms could be transferred to a Palestinian body agreed upon by the parties, potentially linked to the technocratic committee or, in another scenario, a force associated with the Palestinian Authority if consensus is reached.
Sources involved in the talks said the revised language is intended to provide political flexibility to Hamas and avoid framing the process as capitulation. The discussions remain ongoing, with no final agreement reported.
The Asharq Al-Awsat report also noted that Gaza’s Information Ministry has announced it will hold a press conference on Monday in Deir al-Balah, where it said “important developments” will be revealed, without providing further details.
Separately, Palestinian factions have been engaged in Egyptian-mediated discussions in Cairo in recent weeks aimed at reaching consensus on post-conflict governance arrangements and the issue of armed groups in Gaza. According to sources cited in the report, these negotiations continue to evolve as mediators attempt to bridge remaining gaps between the parties.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the reported potential dissolution of Hamas’ governing committee signals possible movement toward restructuring Gaza’s administrative framework, though key stakeholders have yet to confirm agreement on the proposed transition.
