Hamas announced on Sunday that it will dissolve its current administration in Gaza after a Palestinian technocratic leadership committee assumes control of the region, as is required by the US-brokered plan for the enclave.
The Gaza militant group and the rival Palestinian Authority, the Palestinians’ internationally recognised representative, have not announced the names of the technocrats, who are not supposed to be politically affiliated, and it remains unclear if they will be cleared by Israel and the US.
The government and other elements of the truce that went into effect on 10 October, such as disarming Hamas and sending an international security force, are to be supervised by the “Board of Peace,” an international body headed by US President Donald Trump. The members of the board are still unknown.
In comments posted on his Telegram channel on Sunday, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem called for speeding up the establishment of the technocratic committee.
Trump has said the “Board of Peace” will monitor the committee and handle the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international security force, additional pullbacks of Israeli troops, and Gaza’s reconstruction.
The US has reported little progress on any of these fronts, though the members of the board are expected to be announced this week.
Meanwhile, the post-ceasefire death toll continued to rise in Gaza, with Israeli gunfire killing three Palestinians, according to hospital officials.
The ceasefire began with a halt in fighting and the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinians held by Israel. The deal is still in its first phase as efforts continue to recover the remains of the final hostage left in Gaza.
An Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door information, said Hamas was sending a delegation to talks with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials about moving to the second phase.
The Egyptian official said Hamas will meet with other Palestinian factions this week to finalise the committee’s formation. The Hamas delegation will be chaired by top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, the official said.