Israel estimates Hamas will continue ruling Gaza covertly despite openness to technocratic administration

Israeli security officials estimate that Hamas will continue to operate as the de facto government in the Gaza Strip, despite its claims to have accepted the U.S.-backed plan to establish a new administration for the enclave.

White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had announced the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, which includes the establishment of a technocratic administrative committee that is set to govern the Gaza Strip under the auspices of the future “high representative” for the Gaza Strip, Nickolay Mladenov, and the Board of Peace.

Earlier this week, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem claimed the group would hand over the administration to the technocratic committee.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim affirmed on Wednesday that the terror group is "ready to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to the ‘National Transitional Committee’ and to facilitate its mission.”

However, Israel Hayom reported that the deputy head of the IDF Intelligence Branch's research division briefed the security cabinet ministers about the committee, noting that “the officials who will actually run the Gaza Strip will be people who support Hamas or cooperate with it. So in effect, Hamas will run Gaza behind the scenes.” 

Reaction by the ministers to the testimony of the military intelligence official was reported to be strong. Minister Ze’ev Elkin said the shift to phase two “means that we are returning to Hamas rule in Gaza.” 

Orit Strock, Minister of Settlements and National Missions, said that Israel should insist that the new committee only have authority in the so-called “Red Zone,” the area under Hamas jurisdiction. 

The security agencies, including the IDF, have warned that Hamas is already restoring and preserving its significant weapons systems, including lathes for producing rockets, explosive devices, RPGs, and more. 

However, during his recent meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would give the second phase a chance, while insisting on the disarmament of Hamas.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials said in a press briefing on Wednesday that discussions with Hamas regarding an amnesty program and its disarmament would begin soon.

The White House is hoping to bridge the gaps between Israel and Hamas, an official said, according to a Reuters report, noting that the Israeli government remains “skeptical that Hamas will disarm and that the Palestinian people want peace.” 

“The goal here is to create the alternative to Hamas that wants that peace, figure out how to empower them,” the official said. 

The official also referred to the new technocratic committee as the government of Gaza: “And obviously, now that we have this government, we will be engaging in conversations - with Hamas on the next phase, which is demilitarization, with Israel, on what amnesty program can be given to Hamas if they do this [disarm].” 

In his announcement of the second phase, special envoy Steve Witkoff had reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. to the disarmament of the terror group. 

“Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel,” Witkoff said. 

Witkoff also said that the U.S. “expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations.”

“The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences.” 

Witkoff’s statement came despite the fact that such obligations should have occurred during the first phase. The remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili has not been handed over to Israel, while the Israeli government believes that members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad faction know the location of his body.