Hamas calls for entry of Gaza governance committee, warns against Israeli delays

CAIRO, Egypt — Hamas said on Monday evening that the National Committee tasked with governing Gaza should enter the territory without delay, accusing Israel of trying to obstruct the ceasefire deal and create an administrative vacuum. In a statement, the group said the committee must begin work without giving Israel an opportunity to delay, while reaffirming its commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement and continuing efforts to hand over Gaza's administration to the committee. Hamas described the dissolution of the government's emergency committee as a responsible step toward completing the administrative transfer. The group also warned that Israel is attempting to prevent the agreement from being implemented and to complicate the resumption of life in Gaza, urging mediators and guarantor states to press Israel to comply. Earlier on Monday, Hamas announced it had disbanded the "government affairs follow-up committee" that has administered Gaza for nearly two decades, after the group won elections in 2006. Palestinian sources said new talks are expected to begin in Cairo within two days to address outstanding issues in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.