January 12, 2026
Hamas’ military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades and Red Cross conduct first phase of search operations to locate the remains of two missing Israeli hostages at Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza on December 1, 2025. [Saeed M. M. T. Jaras – Anadolu Agency]
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Sunday that it has issued instructions for all government bodies and institutions in the Gaza Strip to prepare for a full handover of authority to an independent Palestinian technocratic body.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a televised statement that the decision followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump regarding his intention to form a peace council for the Gaza Strip. Qassem stressed that the movement’s decision to relinquish control of government institutions was “clear and final”.
He added that directives had been issued to facilitate a smooth handover process in order to ensure the success of the technocratic authority’s work, describing the move as being in line with the “higher Palestinian interest”. He said the step also comes as part of the implementation of the plan that led to the halt of the war on Gaza, which was signed in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Qassem noted that Palestinian factions had previously agreed to transfer the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee made up of independent figures and experts from the territory. That agreement was reached during a meeting held in Cairo on 24 October.
The factions also called for the development of a unified national strategy to revitalise the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and to ensure its leading role in the next phase.
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