Hamas announced on Wednesday that it is prepared to transfer governance of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian technocratic body, while emphasizing that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt must be fully reopened in the coming days.
“Protocols are in place, files are complete, and committees are ready to oversee the handover, ensuring a full transfer of administrative control across all sectors to the technocratic committee,” said Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem.
The 15-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) was formed under the US-backed ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10. The committee, consisting of Palestinian technocrats, is tasked with managing day-to-day governance in post-war Gaza and will operate under the oversight of the “Board of Peace,” chaired by US President Donald Trump.
The NCAG is headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, who is expected to enter Gaza once the Rafah crossing reopens. Qassem stressed that the border must allow “full freedom of exit and entry, without any Israeli restrictions,” noting that Rafah is Gaza’s only non-Israeli gateway for both people and goods.
The crossing has largely remained closed since Israeli forces took control in May 2024, with only limited openings in early 2025. Previous attempts to reopen it fully have failed.
Last week, Shaath announced plans for Rafah to reopen in both directions. Qassem described the announcement as “significant” but emphasized the importance of monitoring the committee’s management of the crossing to ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement, rather than Israeli conditions.
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire, which followed the group’s October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel. The group has fulfilled obligations in the first phase of the agreement and is ready to participate in the next phase.
Key milestones ahead include Hamas’s disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. While the return of the last prisoner to Israel has been completed, Hamas has not yet surrendered its weapons. The group has repeatedly maintained that disarmament is a “red line,” though it has expressed willingness to hand over arms to a Palestinian governing authority. Neither Hamas nor Israel have provided clear timelines for withdrawal or disarmament.