Emergency Governance Ends in Gaza as Hamas Moves Authority to New National Body

Gaza – Hamas has officially terminated the Emergency Government Committee that has been managing civilian affairs in the strip since the latest round of fighting began. The declaration came from Ismail Thawabta, director‑general of the Gaza Media Office, during a press conference held in the central district of Deir al‑Balal.

According to Thawabta, the committee’s head, Mohammad al‑Farra, submitted a written resignation, and only the technical staff will stay on to keep essential services running. The move reflects a Cairo‑based consensus among Palestinian factions to streamline governance and reduce the hardships inflicted by continuous warfare, reconstruction delays, siege conditions, and closed crossing routes.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasim added that the shift seeks to eliminate any pretext for Israeli interference and confirmed Hamas’ willingness to transfer all administrative duties to the freshly constituted National Committee. He appealed to all parties to accelerate the arrival of National Committee members in Gaza and to assume their roles without further postponement.

The transition is part of the peace‑building agenda promoted by the Board of Peace, a diplomatic forum created by the United States. The board’s roadmap calls for Gaza’s rebuilding, the removal of weapons, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of an international peacekeeping presence. Since its inception in February by former President Donald Trump, the board has coordinated a $10 billion aid package, with contributions from several Gulf and Central Asian states exceeding $7 billion.