Hamas has announced plans to dissolve the bodies that have governed the Gaza Strip for almost two decades, marking the biggest political shift inside the territory since the group took control in 2007.

The decision comes as Israeli military aggression continued across Gaza and southern Lebanon on Monday, with Palestinian and Lebanese officials reporting new casualties despite ceasefire arrangements in both territories.

Hamas officials told AFP that the movement had decided to dissolve the Government Emergency Committee, which has overseen civilian administration in Gaza during Israel’s genocidal war, and transfer authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a technocratic body formed with representatives from different Palestinian factions.

One Hamas official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media, said the movement had decided to appoint a figure with broad national backing to oversee the transition until the new committee formally assumes responsibility.

Another Hamas official described the decision to AFP as “a serious step enabling the National Committee to assume its governance role”.

According to AFP, the move follows months of discussions over post-war governance in Gaza and forms part of efforts to establish a civilian administration acceptable to different Palestinian factions.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza later confirmed that it was prepared to assume responsibility once the necessary resources become available.

Committee chairman Ali Shaath wrote on X that the body was “fully prepared to carry out its national responsibilities” following Hamas’ announcement.

Al Jazeera reported that Hamas said the transfer of authority was intended to remove Israeli justifications for continuing military operations in Gaza. The broadcaster also reported that Government Media Office director Ismail al-Thawabta said Interior Ministry employees would remain in their posts to prevent any security vacuum during the transition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by repeating Israel’s position that reconstruction of Gaza would not begin unless Hamas surrendered its weapons.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said reconstruction had to be linked to dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities.

The political developments unfolded as fighting continued across the Gaza Strip.

According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 73,098 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023.

The ministry said more than 1,000 people have also been killed since a ceasefire took effect last October.

Medical officials reported several Israeli strikes across Gaza on Monday morning.

According to Al Jazeera, at least six Palestinians were killed in separate attacks, including drone strikes on Khan Younis and Gaza City. 

Middle East Eye separately reported that four Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks during the early hours of Monday, including strikes on a residential building and a gathering near a water distribution point east of Gaza City.

The Israeli military had not immediately commented on the reported attacks.

The Gaza health ministry also reported five deaths and seven injuries during the latest 24-hour reporting period.

Elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead a 16-year-old boy during a raid on Qalandiya refugee camp near Ramallah.

The ministry said two other boys, both aged 14, suffered gunshot wounds during the same operation.

Palestinian officials also said a four-month-old infant died after Israeli forces delayed his family’s vehicle for more than an hour at a military checkpoint west of Ramallah while they attempted to reach hospital.

The incident was condemned by Palestinian authorities.

Human rights organisations also raised concerns over conditions facing Palestinian detainees.

Rights groups and lawyers said Kamal Adwan Hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya remained in deteriorating health after more than 18 months in Israeli detention.

His lawyer and Physicians for Human Rights Israel said the doctor had suffered severe injuries and repeated loss of consciousness. Israel has accused Abu Safiya of links to Hamas, allegations his supporters reject.

Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to respond to a petition seeking the release of 14 doctors from Gaza, including Abu Safiya.

Violence also continued in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement reached last month.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an Israeli missile strike on a vehicle in Nabatieh al-Fawqa killed four people.

According to the agency, those killed included the principal of Youssef Shamoun Public School, her mother, a foreign domestic worker and a Syrian worker.

The Israeli military said separately that it had taken what it described as “full operational control” of the Lebanese village of Haddatha and claimed to have destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure there.

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday and said operations against Hezbollah would continue despite the ceasefire.

Lebanese officials have accused Israel of repeated violations of the agreement.

HT