HAMAS TO HAND OVER POLITICAL POWER TO NCAG IN GAZA, PALESTINE

Written by Michael Thervil

A HAMAS SPOKESPERSON, HAZEM QASSEM (LEFT), AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT MEDIA OFFICE IN GAZA, ISMAIL AL-THAWABTA (RIGHT) PHOTO BY ANADOLU/GETTY IMAGES

[Hamas NCAG Gaza Palestine] In what Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem called “a positive step forward on the path to implement the ceasefire deal.” In reference to Hamas conceding it two-decade long reins of power and influence to the National Committee for The Administration of Gaza (NCAG), as a sincere effort to prevent Israel from weaponizing any pretext for it’s continuation of genocide against the people of Gaza and Palestine as a whole. This comes as 1,000 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas and several attempts to adhere to perpetually failing ceasefires between the two warring bodies.

The NCAG, a committee that is backed by the Trump Administration and if not opposed by Israel would take the lead when it comes to the day-to-day operation and governance of Gaza. Gaza has been plagued by famine, disease, and the destruction of 90% of its infrastructure by Israel since Hamas executed their counter-offensive against Israeli illegal occupation and annexation of Palestine. Mohammed al-Farra who leads Hamas's emergency committee has formally submitted his resignation from his current position as a show of good faith to adhere to the agreed upon terms of the formal transfer of power.

Although Mohammed al-Farra is resigning from his position, Hamas as an organization will not give up its role as a paramilitary operation in Gaza nor will it disarm itself. Israel is taking issue with these two points because it feels that even if Mohammed al-Farra resigns and NCAG steps in as the new formal governing body of Palestine, Hamas will still have military influence over the organization. In a Press Conference yesterday, Mohammed al-Farrais was quoted saying: “After I have ensured that all necessary preparations have been completed for the handover of the governmental system in the Gaza Strip, I hereby tender my resignation from my positions as chairman of the governmental work follow-up committee in the Gaza Strip and chairman of the governmental emergency committee.”

Ali Shaath who is the head of the NCAG not only praised the efforts and actions of Hamas but acknowledged that NCAG “is fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities as soon as the necessary resources and capabilities are available”. In support of Ali Shaath, Nickolay Mladenov who is directing the ordeal stated: “It is the bridge between declarations and implementation”. The operation of NCAG inside of Palestine has been continuously blocked by Israel since January. While Hamas has stated that it will not disarm nor will it give up providing security within Palestine, Hamas will cease to govern Palestine politically and that all political agents of Hamas will continue to serve as public workers and civil servants under the direction and control of NCAG.

It should be noted that all members of NCAG have been blocked by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the formation of NCAG which is composed of 13 members back in January this year. Geopolitical analysts in the region are taking the position that both present Trump's Board of Peace and NCAG should make the appropriate concessions and become more flexible in their approach to not only meeting the leadership of Hamas halfway but completely honoring this deal so that the genocide against the people of Palestine comes to an end. Those same geopolitical analysts have also expressed that they feel that Israel will continue to be uncooperative and maintain its militant posture towards any kind of deal between Hamas, NCAG, and The Board of Peace.