He will be replaced by a Palestinian technocratic committee that will take over the day-to-day management of the enclave.
Authors: Al Jazeera staff and AFP
The Palestinian Hamas group has announced the dissolution of the body that governed Gaza for nearly two decades, paving the way for a technocratic committee to establish civilian administration in the war-torn, besieged territory.
Monday's move marks a significant political shift by Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, after its militants seized control from rival Palestinian movement Fatah - following Hamas's victory in legislative elections the previous year.
Since a US-brokered „ceasefire” with Israel took effect last October, the group has repeatedly stated its readiness to step back from day-to-day governance, but the issue of their disarmament has remained unresolved.
Mohammed al-Farra, head of the government’s emergency committee, „decided to submit his formal resignation from his position and announce the dissolution of the Government Emergency Committee, demonstrating the seriousness of these measures, as part of the implementation of the agreed agreements and in order to facilitate the administrative transition process,” the Government Press Office in Gaza said in a statement issued on Monday.
A Hamas official said the group wants the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to begin work as soon as possible. This body will be tasked with overseeing the future administration of Gaza under a US-backed plan aimed at ending Israel's genocidal war on the Palestinian territory.
„"Hamas has taken a new step by no longer being responsible for the Gaza Strip, in order to remove any excuse for the occupying power to continue its aggression and war of annihilation," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP.
„We hope for the early entry of [NCAG] and Hamas’s confirmation of its readiness to hand over government responsibilities to the committee, ensuring its success.”
Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud, a correspondent in Gaza City, said Hamas's announcement appeared to be "politically significant.".
„It is seen as part of a concession from Hamas to advance the negotiations, to pave the way for the technocratic committee to arrive in the Gaza Strip and take over responsibility after months of a growing power vacuum.”
Mahmoud stressed that the move does not mean Hamas is giving up its political or military role in Gaza, but rather "stepping back from direct civilian governance in Gaza.".
The head of the NCAG welcomed Hamas' announcement.
„We confirm that [NCAG] is fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities as soon as the necessary resources and capabilities are available,” Ali Shaath, the committee’s chairman, wrote on his social media page.
Nickolay Mladenov, the US-founded Gaza Peace Council chief overseeing the work of the NCAG, said the decision „underlines the importance of successfully concluding the road map discussions.”.
„This is the bridge between declarations and implementation,” he added.
Mladenov noted that once agreement is reached on the remaining implementing provisions, the NCAG will be able to assume its responsibilities.
The NCAG has been operating outside Gaza for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the besieged enclave.
Israel has ruled out letting Hamas govern the enclave, but has also rejected a direct takeover by the Palestinian Authority - which controls the occupied West Bank - at this stage.
