Hamas Ready To Hand Over Gaza To US-Backed Technocratic Committee To Secure Ceasefire

Last Updated:January 15, 2026, 18:15 IST

A senior Hamas official welcomed the formation of the 15-member committee, which was announced by Egypt, a mediator in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

Palestinian Hamas militants secure the area in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. (AFP file photo)

Hamas on Thursday said it was ready to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a US-backed technocratic committee, saying the move would help consolidate the ceasefire and prevent a return to conflict.

A senior Hamas official welcomed the formation of the 15-member committee, which was announced by Egypt, a mediator in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. The committee will operate under the overall supervision of a so-called “Board of Peace," to be chaired by US President Donald Trump.

“The formation of the committee is a step in the right direction," said Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas leader. “This is crucial for consolidating the ceasefire, preventing a return to war, addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis and preparing for comprehensive reconstruction."

Hamas, which has controlled public life in Gaza since 2007, has repeatedly said it does not intend to play an active role in future governance and will limit its involvement to monitoring the work of the committee.

Naim added that Hamas would facilitate the committee’s work and hand over administration smoothly.

“The ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor and the international community to empower the committee," Naim said. He also urged the mediators to counter what he described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to “stall or obstruct" the next stages of the ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Gaza has been divided by a “Yellow Line," marking territory controlled by Hamas and areas under Israeli military authority. Washington’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the ceasefire has now entered its second stage.

Key elements include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, the demilitarisation of the territory, the disarmament of Hamas, and steps to address the humanitarian crisis through accelerated aid deliveries and reconstruction.

The US-proposed Board of Peace is expected to be led on the ground by Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN envoy for the Middle East peace process. Trump is expected to announce the 15 members of the board in the coming days, including world leaders tasked with overseeing Gaza’s recovery.

(With inputs from AFP)

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