Hamas source says group relinquishing control of Gaza, calling long-term truce

A Hamas source close to the group’s negotiating team tells AFP that it will not participate in post-war Gaza governance, days after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire came into effect.

“For Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue. Hamas will not participate at all in the transitional phase, which means it has relinquished control of the Strip, but it remains a fundamental part of the Palestinian fabric,” the source tells AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

It is not clear to what extent the source speaks for the rest of the organization.

On Friday, hours after a ceasefire in Gaza came into effect, the terror group published pictures showing armed operatives belonging to its internal security apparatus tasked with maintaining order within the Strip appearing in public for the first time since the previous ceasefire, in what appeared to be a limited show of force.

The source also says the group is ready to pause armed operations, contradicting another Hamas official who said earlier that disarmament was “out of the question.”

“Hamas agrees to a long-term truce, and for its weapons not to be used at all during this period, except in the event of an Israeli attack on Gaza,” the source says.

The source says Hamas has asked for mediator Egypt to call a meeting before the end of next week to agree on the composition of a temporary technocratic and apolitical Palestinian committee charged with the day-to-day running of public services, adding that “the names are almost ready.”

“Hamas, along with the other factions, has submitted 40 names. There is absolutely no veto over them, and none of them belong to Hamas,” he adds.

Nurit Yohanan contributed to this report.