“SYMBOLIC GESTURE”
The dissolution of the 15-member Hamas body paves the way for the NCAG, headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities in the territory.
The NCAG has remained based in Cairo for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the war-devastated territory of 2.1 million people.
Mkhaimar Abusada, a political expert from Gaza, told AFP that Hamas’s move was still a “symbolic gesture”.
“The problem is not with dissolving their governmental committee, but with agreeing to disarmament,” he said.
“Hamas has not agreed to disarming itself and that is still the sticking point.”
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have held several rounds of talks in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, particularly over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire that includes the group’s disarmament.
“From Hamas’s perspective, this checks a few boxes,” said a diplomatic source referring to Monday’s announcement.
“It shows they are moving the process forward, puts the spotlight on what they portray as Israel’s failure to follow through on its commitments,” said the source, who attended some of the talks in Cairo.
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire 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 to involve Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has been stalled for months.
Israeli forces have actually expanded their presence in the territory in recent months, taking control of nearly 70 per cent.
Meanwhile Hamas is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it will consider handing over any part of its arsenal.
The question of Gaza’s post-war governance also remains one of the main sticking points in negotiations on implementing phase two of the truce.
Israel rejects any return of Hamas to power, but also rejects a direct takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority at this stage.
Both Hamas and Israel accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.
At least 1,072 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory’s health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
The Israeli military says it has lost five soldiers in Gaza over the same period, as well as one contractor.mains one of the main sticking points in negotiations on implementing phase two.
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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