The agreement to rebuild Gaza has stalled, with Hamas announcing it’s dissolving its government in the region. Hamas is ready to give power to a technocratic committee, as backed by the Board of Peace, according to a statement by Ismail al-Thwabta, head of the government media office.
The announcement does not mention disarmament, a key part of the agreement’s second phase. Hamas maintains security control in parts of Gaza not controlled by Israel.
Reaction to the Announcement
Ismail al-Thwabta said in a statement, “We call on all concerned and relevant parties to immediately accelerate the steps for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to enter quickly and assume its national and administrative duties and responsibilities.” The Board of Peace responded, saying it has “taken note” of the statement but will wait for “actions, not promises.”
The Board of Peace also called on Hamas to disarm, stating that the “core principle remains one authority, one law and one weapon.” However, a recent report from Israeli public broadcaster Kan claims Hamas is rearming in Gaza and preparing for war.
Preparations for War
The unsourced report claims Hamas has been recruiting new members and producing hundreds of explosive devices and anti-tank missiles every month. The group has also resumed training for members of its elite force, Nukhba, and rebuilding underground infrastructure destroyed by the IDF during the war.
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Officers have warned that “nobody is threatening” Hamas, and the organization is unwilling to give up control of Gaza. As a result, officials believe Israel should resume the war in Gaza, but the U.S. opposes this, preferring to preserve the status quo and advance the Board of Peace initiative.
In the middle of these developments, Hamas announced it’s dissolving its government in Gaza and is ready to give the power to a technocratic committee meant to lead under the agreement backed by the Board of Peace.
Future of the Agreement
The group said it had “highly productive” meetings in Cyprus last week, and the technocratic government will take over “once the right conditions are met.” However, the conditions for this takeover have not been specified, leaving the future of the agreement uncertain.
The situation in Gaza remains complex, with Hamas maintaining control and the agreement to rebuild stalled. The U.S. and Israel have differing opinions on how to proceed, with the U.S. preferring to preserve the status quo and Israel considering resuming the war.
