Hamas is disbanding the organization that runs Gaza but keeping its weapons, critics say
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Hamas announced on Monday that it was disbanding the emergency committee responsible for Gaza’s government, a move that could pave the way for a new US-backed administration to take over the country’s affairs.
The proposed board, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), is a US-backed committee aimed at overseeing civil affairs in Gaza after the war.
Hamas, which the US describes as a foreign terrorist organization, has ruled Gaza since taking control of the territory in 2007. The group led the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the war, and Israel has insisted that Hamas will have no governing or military role in post-war Gaza.
The announcement could therefore be a key test of President Donald Trump’s Gaza framework and wider regional coordination. A genuine devolution of power would help to further the establishment of a post-war administration. But critics of Israel and Hamas say the group is willing to let go of civilian government responsibilities while retaining weapons, security services and real influence on the ground.
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Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem and Director of the Government Media Office in Gaza Ismail Al-Thawabta present a press statement following the announcement that the head of the Government’s Emergency Committee has resigned and the committee has been disbanded as part of the transfer of governance in the Gaza Strip to the Gaza National Management Committee, July 6, 2026. (Jusoor News)
The Trump-led Peace Council responded cautiously, saying its assessment “will be guided by actions, not promises.” The technical committee, which is currently based outside Gaza, said it is ready to start working when conditions allow.
But the announcement did not include a commitment by Hamas to disarm, a central demand from Israel and a key element of Trump’s post-war framework.
Alaa Abo Naddi, a Gazan teacher and political activist, said the committee dismissed by Hamas was never the source of its real authority.
“I believe this is an attempt by Hamas to buy time,” said Abo Naddi. “The real question has always been whether Hamas is willing to give up its weapons and disband its armed groups and militias.” AJS: I would take this up to a fourth graph.
He said that the authorities in Gaza have long been operating without independent authority and remain under the control of Hamas security forces.
“In fact, even a low-level Hamas security guard can defeat them or arrest them,” he said. “As long as Hamas keeps its arms, this looks like an attempt to maintain its control and gain more time.”
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US President Donald Trump holds the signed agreement for the first phase of the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
Hadeel Oueis, editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab media outlet Jusoor News, similarly described the announcement as a “active step” that may have been inspired by one of Hamas’s regional allies.
Oueis said the move appears to be intended to send Trump a message that Hamas has fulfilled its obligations and that Israel is now responsible for blocking the next phase of his plan.
“This is just a show and it doesn’t really change anything,” Oueis told Fox News Digital.
He noted that technical personnel are expected to remain active during the transition period, saying that Hamas will remain the de facto authority unless its security and military structures are removed.
Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Center at Tel Aviv University’s Moshe Dayan Center, also pointed out that the cancellation was symbolic but said its timing could indicate a broader effort to negotiate.
Milshtein said that Egypt, Qatar and Turkey were working with Hamas to develop a consensus that would advance the post-war plan, especially on the issue of disarmament.
Rather than demanding a quick and complete surrender of Hamas’ weapons, he said negotiators could push for a gradual process that could be partially agreed to by Hamas.
“I consider that the action taken by Hamas today is part of a joint action with Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, which is intended to start moving forward a broader plan,” Milshtein told Fox News Digital.
He said that Hamas has thrown the ball into Israel’s court and now they can argue that they have agreed to withdraw the government’s official administration.
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A Palestinian man collects food at a humanitarian aid distribution center in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, Sunday, July 20, 2025. (Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected that distinction on Tuesday, accusing Hamas of trying to reproduce the model used by Hezbollah in Lebanon, where the armed group maintains military power while civilian institutions run government services.
“They don’t care if others collect garbage, provide municipal services and manage public affairs, if Hamas will continue with the military,” Sa’ar said while speaking to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
Sa’ar said Israel will continue to insist on “the disarmament of Hamas and all other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, and their complete elimination.”
Wadephul supported that position, saying that Hamas must give up both its weapons and its control of Gaza.
The United Nations also gave a cautiously positive response.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the organization has taken note of Hamas’ announcement regarding the dissolution of the government’s emergency committee and the proposed transfer of administrative responsibilities to the Gaza National Committee.
“We welcome any initiative that contributes to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and promotes the objectives indicated in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and the provision of humanitarian aid without obstruction,” said Dujarric.
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Hamas terrorists guard the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah south of the Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)
He added that the UN continues to support “efforts for unified Palestinian governance under the Palestinian Authority.”
Milshtein said the real test will be whether the National Committee for Gaza Management is allowed to enter Gaza, operate independently and exercise real authority, while Hamas not only relinquishes its civil role but also its security and military control.
