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Hamas is preparing to dissolve the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, officials from the group said Monday, in a move that would clear the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to assume civilian rule.
The decision would mark a major political shift for Hamas, which has run Gaza since its fighters seized control from the rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007.
Since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in Gaza last October, the group has repeatedly said it is prepared to step away from day-to-day governance. However, the issue of its disarmament remains unresolved.
"The movement has decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and to appoint a nationally accepted figure to oversee the committee's work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza formally assumes its responsibilities," a Hamas official told Agence France-Presse (AFP), speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Hamas' media office in Gaza said it would hold "an important press conference" later Monday, without giving details.
A second Hamas official said the group had already informed other Palestinian factions of the decision during a recent meeting in Cairo.
"The factions welcomed Hamas' decision, describing it as a serious step towards enabling the National Committee to take up its governing role," the official said.
The dissolution of the Hamas body would pave the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, or NCAG, to assume administrative responsibilities.
The NCAG is headed by Palestinian official Ali Shaath. It was established by the Board of Peace, which was set up by U.S. President Donald Trump when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel last October.
However, the committee has remained based outside Gaza for months, reportedly because of Israeli objections to its entry into the war-devastated territory.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have held several rounds of talks in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, especially over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
The first phase involved the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.
The transition to the second phase, which was expected to involve Hamas' disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has been stalled for months.
Israeli forces have expanded their presence in Gaza in recent months, taking control of nearly 70% of the territory.
Hamas is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it considers handing over any part of its arsenal.
The question of Gaza's postwar governance remains one of the main obstacles in negotiations over implementing the second phase of the ceasefire.
Israel rejects any return of Hamas to power, but also rejects a direct takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority at this stage.
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