Hamas Dissolves Gaza Government but Retains Weapons, Israeli Officials and Experts Warn

Hamas announced the dissolution of its Gaza government as part of a UN-mediated peace plan that also requires the group to disarm, but experts and Israeli officials describe the move as a tactic to retain its weapons and maintain influence.

Hamas Announces Government Dissolution

Hamas made the announcement at a press conference outside Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah and has not specified when the change will take effect. [3] Hamas-äärijärjestö ilmoitti hajoittavansa Gazan hallinnon osana palestiinalaisalueen siirtymistä YK-johtoisen komitean alaisuuteen. [3] The move is one condition of a peace plan that also demands Hamas give up its weapons. [3] Hamas did not provide a timeline for when the dissolution would occur in practice. [3] The announcement came during a Monday press conference held by Hamas spokespeople at the Al-Aqsa Hospital site in Deir al-Balah. [3]

Israeli Criticism of the Move

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that any civilian administration will remain under Hamas's control as long as the group retains its arms. [3] Saar wrote on his X account that as long as Hamas possesses weapons, every civilian administration will operate according to its dictates. [3] Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been deadlocked for nine months on disarmament and reconstruction. [3] The talks have reached the second stage focused on weapons and Gaza reconstruction without progress. [3] Saar’s statement directly linked the continuation of any new administration to Hamas retaining its arms. [3]

Hamas spokespeople announce Gaza government dissolution at a press conference in Deir al-Balah. — Source: balkaninsight

Expert Analysis of Hamas Strategy

Expert Col. (Res.) Dr. Moshe Elad called the dissolution a ruse, arguing Hamas is offering governance instead of weapons to keep its main asset and that no other entity will fill the vacuum. [1] Elad said on the 103FM radio show “Five in the Evening” on Monday that the announcement was a trick meant to maintain weaponry. [1] He explained that when told to give up their main asset, Hamas instead offers something else, in this case governance, while keeping weapons. [1] Elad stated that with weapons remaining in their hands, Hamas will be able to rule without doubt and that no other government will step into the slot. [1] He described the move as pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes with nothing real behind it. [1]

Limitations of the Replacement Committee

Elad warned that the proposed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza lacks real power, authority or enforcement capability, while Hamas continues recruiting and holding key positions. [1] He questioned what the international council meant to replace Hamas is worth, noting it has no real power, no authority to issue decrees, and no power to enforce anything such as the collection of weapons. [1] Elad added that Hamas inside Gaza is boosting its forces and recruiting people, showing it still has strength while holding onto the main positions of power. [1] The committee is described as lacking enforcement capability over issues including weapon collection. [1]

Reconstruction and Disarmament Challenges

Reconstruction plans envision Israeli control in certain areas with American-led development, but Elad said this cannot succeed without prior Hamas disarmament. [1] The American plan is to demand that Israel allow development in the areas where it is stationed, with control remaining Israeli while reconstruction work occurs. [1] Elad warned that reconstruction cannot work while Israel is present and Hamas personnel are running around beneath their feet. [1] He stated that the Americans do not understand the trouble they are getting into by not conditioning the disarmament of Hamas before a single cent of development enters the Gaza Strip. [1] Hamas is fighting to keep its weapons because it understands that without them it will have no influence. [1]

Broader Context of the Conflict

Hamas’s armed men attacked several targets on the Israeli side in October 2023. [3] The attacks killed 1200 people and took 251 people hostage. [3] In Israel’s response operations, 73 000 people have died according to the Gaza health ministry. [3] Five people died yesterday in Khan Yunis and Gaza City. [3] These figures place the stakes of the stalled negotiations in ongoing context. [3]

What to watch next: Negotiations remain stuck on the second stage of disarmament and reconstruction, with Israeli officials and experts continuing to assess whether any governance change occurs without Hamas first relinquishing weapons.