Hamas says it will dissolve Gaza government when new Palestinian body takes over
Since the truce began, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to local health officials. Israel says its actions respond to ceasefire violations.
Hamas said yesterday (11 January) it will dissolve its existing government in Gaza once a new Palestinian technocratic leadership committee assumes control of the territory under a US-brokered peace plan, though it did not say when the transition would happen.
Hamas and the rival Palestinian Authority have yet to announce the names of the technocrats, who are meant to be politically unaffiliated. It also remains unclear whether Israel and the United States will approve the new body.
The plan calls for oversight by an international "Board of Peace," led by US President Donald Trump, which is tasked with supervising the ceasefire that began on 10 October.
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Its mandate includes overseeing Hamas' disarmament, deploying an international security force, further Israeli troop withdrawals and Gaza's reconstruction. The board's members have not yet been named.
An Egyptian official said Hamas is sending a delegation to talks with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials on moving to the second phase of the agreement. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem urged swift formation of the technocratic committee, while talks with other Palestinian factions are expected this week.
Despite the ceasefire, violence continued. Palestinian hospital officials said Israeli gunfire killed three Palestinians in Gaza yesterday. Israel's military said it fired at individuals who approached its troops, describing them as "terrorists."
Since the truce began, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to local health officials. Israel says its actions respond to ceasefire violations.
Meanwhile, Israeli police questioned a senior official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office over alleged obstruction in a probe into leaked classified information, adding to political tensions as the fragile ceasefire continues.
