BySETH J. FRANTZMANJULY 6, 2026 16:09Reports on July 5 and 6 indicated that Hamas might be open to dissolving its government in Gaza. This is widely reported now under claims that Hamas might “hand over” governance or that it was going to “announce dissolution” of its government.The US-backed Board of Peace has said, “We have taken note of the announcement today regarding the dissolution of the ‘Emergency Committee’ in Gaza.”The fact is that Hamas was never supposed to be running Gaza in the first place. It came to power illegally in 2007 through a coup. The coup followed Palestinian elections in 2006. Hamas had already kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2006, giving an example of the kind of “government” it would run.Despite a decade and a half of crimes and terror, Hamas was allowed to run Gaza from 2007 until today. Hamas was aided in this by the fact that the international community and UN were willing to step in to fund services for most people in Gaza. This let Hamas concentrate on preparing for war.Hamas rule was cemented not only by the international community but also by short-sighted policies in Israel. Cash flowed to Hamas from places such as Qatar, where Hamas leaders lived in luxury. The cash came through Israel and was presented as a way to deter Hamas.Officials listen to presentations on the work of the Gaza Executive Board during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on February 19, 2026 in Washington. (credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Image)Trump succeeded hostage return promise, faces challenge of replacing HamasWhile some Israeli officials, such as former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, objected to this arrangement, it was seen as a good strategy in Jerusalem.Reducing Hamas “governance” in Gaza was one of the goals of the war after October 7. Israeli officials changed tone from October 2023, when they compared Hamas to ISIS and claimed “there won’t be Hamas,” to saying the goal of the war was primarily just to reduce Hamas capabilities.The Trump administration came into office promising to return the hostages. It succeeded in this endeavor, bringing about a ceasefire in mid-October 2025. Since then, the US and the administration’s Board of Peace have sought to create conditions for new governance in Gaza.The Board of Peace says, “ultimately, our assessment will be guided by actions, not promises, to meet the critical needs of the people of Gaza. Decisions must be comprehensive with respect to the requirements as set out in the Roadmap for advancing governance, security, and transition in Gaza.We look forward to the successful conclusion of discussions on this Roadmap, including on the implementation mechanisms necessary to enable the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to assume full governing authority.”It also says “the core principle remains one authority, one law and one weapon. This means the consolidation of all weapons under NCAG control, as provided for in the Comprehensive Gaza Peace Plan and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. A genuine transfer of authority must enable the NCAG to exercise its mandate independently, including taking the administrative and governance decisions entrusted to it.”The question is now whether the so-called Hamas Emergency Committee is really resigning. Also, a question looms over the role of the Palestinian technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).Some Israeli officials have not appeared very interested in working with this group, or in working toward reconstruction in Gaza. Instead, voices in Jerusalem have talked about how Gaza will remain in ruins, and some people continue to suggest that people in Gaza should be encouraged to emigrate and leave.In essence, this means leaving Hamas in charge. There is talk of Israel taking over more of Gaza, up to some 70-80 percent. This is not envisioned in the Trump plan.This leaves a lot of questions about whether civilians in Gaza will ever be allowed to leave the Hamas-run part of Gaza and live a normal life in Gaza under the technocratic committee.If Hamas is really going to “dissolve” its illegal government in Gaza, then what will Hamas do next? Is its goal to basically go underground as it has done in the West Bank and wait to return to power in Gaza? Is it going to simply change its name and put lipstick on the proverbial pig? Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Hamas's move will pave the way for the Trump plan to gain momentum.Clearly, July is an important month for the US in Gaza and the region. There are the NATO meetings in Turkey. France’s president is going to Syria.Ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, IranThere is a ceasefire in Lebanon. The Trump administration is working on the MOU with Iran. Many wheels are in motion. Progress in Gaza has been rumored. One hurdle is disarming Hamas. How does one disarm it if it has dissolved its government?What is the address for talks with Hamas? Is it going to shift back to Cairo again, as it did last month? Or to Doha? Cairo inaugurated a new massive military center last week. Cairo is also critical of Israel’s policies.Clearly Israel is skeptical about the Hamas claims. Israel also is concerned that Hamas is not disarming as it is supposed to. A report at Ynet over the weekend made it seem that US policy on Gaza might be shifting.However, the Board of Peace continues to demand disarmament. The Board intends to move forward with the plan envisioned by Trump.Hamas may be saying it is dissolving to reduce pressure on it. If Hamas claims it has dissolved its role, how will pressure be applied to Hamas? Hamas will simply throw up its hands and say “we don’t run this.” But they will remain behind the curtain.Now the big question is whether the Board of Peace and the NCAG can create a non-Hamas-run area. Can reconstruction begin? Can the 2 million civilians in Gaza trapped under Hamas rule finally be able to move to a non-Hamas-run area and receive basic civil rights?The long-term goal is that Hamas won’t have a role in governing Gaza. It will need to be disarmed; at least a token amount of arms should be collected. The anti-ISIS war, which freed Mosul from ISIS, can point a way forward. Remove Hamas and let the civilians begin to rebuild lives, as happened in Mosul. Many challenges remain.It is clear the recent reports are aimed at spotlighting Gaza. Hamas has its messaging, and it wants to stir the pot and confuse everyone by obfuscating whether it will give up power that it was never supposed to have.Follow us on Google