Hamas agrees to dissolve Gaza government under Trump plan

Hamas announced on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2026, that it decided to dissolve all its government bodies in the Gaza Strip to prepare for handing over responsibilities to an independent administrative committee. This move aligns with requirements in the U.S.-brokered peace plan's second phase.

The announcement prepares for President Trump's "Board of Peace," an international body designed to temporarily lead Gaza, oversee governance transitions, disarm Hamas, and manage reconstruction. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced Bulgarian diplomat NMNickolay Mladenov has been selected as the board's director-general.

Hamas did not specify a timeline for when the government dissolution will actually occur. Three months after Trump unveiled his peace plan in Oct. 2025, the ceasefire remains stuck in its first phase with no clear path to the second phase, which would trigger the governance transition.

The proposed second phase of Trump's plan includes a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, and formation of a transitional governing body composed of Palestinian technocrats who would administer Gaza.

Hamas stated it will not disarm until Israel agrees to a path for establishing an independent Palestinian state. This condition creates a potential impasse, as Israel has not committed to Palestinian statehood as part of the peace plan. Hamas officials previously indicated willingness to hand over political control but not weapons.

In Dec. 2025, President Trump stated his intention to push for rapid implementation of the plan's second phase, emphasizing that Hamas disarmament is a key condition for moving forward. Trump's administration has pressed both sides to advance beyond the initial ceasefire stage.

Following the ceasefire that began Oct. 10, 2025, Hamas has been reasserting its authority in Gaza through violence against opponents, raising doubts among observers about whether the group will genuinely relinquish power. Palestinians report they are still living with war conditions despite the ceasefire, with no functioning governance transition yet visible.