Hamas says ‘Palestinian factions’ agreed to hand over Gaza administration to technocrat committee

According to Hamas, the decision was taken after a meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

Hamas to hand over Gaza administration

“The administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee made up of independent technocrats, which will oversee daily affairs and essential services in coordination with Arab nations and international organisations,” the Hamas statement said.

Hamas’ statement added that the groups had agreed to work together on forming a unified position “to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.”

Hamas relinquishing power in Gaza, along with the militant group disarming, were among the two contentious clauses in the 20-point peace plan put forward by Trump.

Hamas refuses to disarm

While Hamas had expressed its willingness to leave the administration of Gaza, which had been under its rule since 2006, and hand over the Strip to a committee of Palestinian technocrats, the militant group has vehemently opposed the demand to disarm.

According to Hamas, it will not disarm until an independent Palestinian state is established and argues that its weapons as a crucial means of guaranteeing its existence and as leverage in negotiations.

Trump on Hamas disarmament

US President Donald Trump, who brokered the Gaza ceasefire, has insisted that Hamas should disarm, but has sent mixed signals on how and when.

Trump has gone from ‘Hamas will be disarmed by force if required’ to ‘Hamas promised to disarm, but no hard timeline for when.

Hamas must disarm: Rubio

On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting Israel, said Hamas must disarm as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

According to Rubio, Israel has met its commitments under the first phase of the ceasefire, and Hamas would have to disarm, release the remains of deceased hostages, and cannot be involved in governing Gaza in the future.