Hamas says ready to hand over Gaza governance, rejects claims it seeks to retain control

• Hamas denies claims it refuses to relinquish control of Gaza
• Says it is ready to transfer governance and security to a national committee
• Blames ‘Israel’ and international actors for obstructing arrangements

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasem said on Tuesday that claims circulated by some parties in the “Board of Peace” alleging the movement is unwilling to hand over governance in Gaza are “misleading and false.”

Qasem said the accusations are intended to provide political cover for ‘Israel’ to continue its military operations, especially following what he described as the disclosure of military plans by Southern Command chief Yani Asor to “absorb 70 percent of the Gaza Strip.”

Read more: Abu Obaida issues statement on Tuesday

He reiterated that Hamas is fully and unequivocally ready to transfer all governing responsibilities in Gaza, including security files, to a national committee based in Cairo that was previously agreed upon.

Qasem said the main obstacle to the committee’s work is the presence of ‘Israel’ and what he described as political interference by international figures, which he claimed has complicated negotiations and contradicted previous frameworks.

He added that the “Board of Peace” has failed to exert pressure on ‘Israel’ to allow the committee access to Gaza or to facilitate the resources needed to begin its work on the ground, leaving governance and aid distribution tied to ongoing escalation.