Hamas says government handover preparations complete
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- Hamas says it is ready to transfer Gaza administration to a national committee.
- Rafah crossing reopens under tight restrictions as control disputes persist.
Hamas announced that it has completed all administrative and governmental procedures required to hand over management of the Gaza Strip to the National Gaza Administration Committee once it enters the territory.
Read more: Hamas says 'Israel' targeted sites holding collaborators in Gaza
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the movement formed a supervisory body made up of Palestinian factions, tribal representatives, civil society members, and figures linked to international institutions to oversee the transfer of governmental and administrative departments to the committee.
Qassem called on all parties to facilitate the committee’s work so it can begin leading Gaza’s recovery efforts after nearly two years of war.
Rafah crossing context
The announcement coincided with the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in both directions, allowing limited movement of people under strict restrictions. The reopening came a day after the Israeli army completed the establishment of an internal inspection point at the crossing.
‘Israel’ has occupied the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing since May 2024, as part of what Palestinians describe as genocidal crimes carried out in Gaza since October 2023.
Hamas criticism of restrictions
In separate media remarks, Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said Israeli conditions are obstructing the movement of travelers through Rafah and that the occupation does not want entry or exit from Gaza to proceed smoothly.
“We do not know why the independent national committee for managing Gaza has not begun its work,” Hamad said.
Committee background
The Gaza Administration Committee was formed under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and operates under a Peace Council tasked with overseeing Gaza’s administration during a transitional period.
The committee serves as the civilian executive body in the Gaza Strip, managing daily civil service operations. It consists of 15 Palestinian specialists.
Its formation followed a UN Security Council decision adopting Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war on Gaza, under Resolution 2803 issued on November 17, 2025.
