Hamas says 'fully ready' for power handover procedures

Hamas said Monday that it is "fully ready" to transfer administrative powers to a newly-formed Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with governing Gaza in the post-war phase.

The group pledged to ensure "a smooth and orderly transition" that protects public sector rights and guarantee the continuity of essential services for civilians, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said in a statement.

The statement framed the administrative transition as part of the second phase of the Gaza peace deal, while strongly linking it to the overarching demand for a complete end to Israeli "aggression" in Gaza.

It emphasized the "inherent right" of Palestinians to reconstruction conducted in a manner that "preserves Palestinian national rights and sovereignty," and reiterated the goal of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee to temporarily administer the post-war Gaza officially launched its work on Friday through a meeting in Cairo, prioritizing Gaza's "humanitarian file." The committee arrived in the Egyptian capital on Thursday, delayed by a day due to Israeli obstruction, an Egyptian source told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, violence continues in the enclave on Monday. Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua that three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in separate incidents in the Khan Younis and Rafah areas.

Basal said Israeli forces regularly target shelters and civilian areas, calling the actions "a clear and blatant violation of all humanitarian and international laws."

Local sources also reported Israeli airstrikes east of Khan Younis and artillery shelling in eastern Gaza, alongside the demolition of residential homes.

The Israeli side has yet to comment on the latest incidents.

Since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025, at least 465 Palestinians have been killed, raising the total death toll since October 2023 to 71,550, Gaza-based health authorities said Monday.