Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body, clears way for technocratic committee.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of the body that had governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a technocratic committee to take over civilian rule.

The move marks a significant political shift by Hamas, which has run Gaza since its fighters seized control of the territory from the rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007, after winning legislative elections the previous year.

Since a ceasefire took effect in Gaza between Hamas and Israel last October, the group has repeatedly said it is prepared to step aside from day-to-day governance. However, the thorny issue of its disarmament remains unresolved.

The head of the government’s emergency committee, Mohammed al-Farra, has officially submitted his resignation, Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas’ government media office, told AFP.

"Hamas has taken a new step in that it will no longer be in charge of the Gaza Strip, in order to remove any pretexts for the occupation, which continues its aggression and war of extermination," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP.

The dissolution of the Hamas body paves the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, headed by Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities in the coastal territory.

The factions welcomed Hamas’ decision, describing it as a serious step towards enabling the National Committee to take up its governing role, an official said.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza has remained based outside the territory for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the war-devastated strip.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions have held several rounds of talks in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, particularly over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. The first phase involved the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.