BREAKING: Hamas Signals Readiness to Relinquish Gaza Governance but Affirms Unbreakable Ties with Palestinians
According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, Hamas on Friday declared that it is willing to relinquish its administrative control of the Gaza Strip but emphasized that the movement remains an inseparable part of the Palestinian people.
Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, in an interview with CNN, stated, “Hamas is part of the Palestinian fabric and cannot be excluded. But as I have repeatedly said regarding the governance of Gaza, we are ready to step aside. We have no problem with this.”
Hamas has governed Gaza since June 14, 2007, after taking control from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, maintaining authority until the conflict escalated into war in October 2023.
The comments follow US President Donald Trump’s presentation of a 21-point plan to Arab and Muslim leaders during the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. The plan, according to Israel’s Channel 12, proposes forming a Gaza administration without Hamas, establishing a joint Palestinian-Arab-Muslim security force, and securing Arab and Islamic funding for reconstruction, with limited involvement from the Palestinian Authority. Trump reportedly urged regional leaders to support and commit to the plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has stated that Israel’s objectives in Gaza include freeing all hostages, dismantling Hamas’ military and governance structures, and ensuring the territory no longer threatens Israel, effectively aiming for Hamas’ removal.
Hamad also recounted surviving an Israeli airstrike in Qatar, describing it as “a miracle” because missiles struck near their location. He accused Israeli forces of targeting negotiators, asserting that Israel wants to derail discussions through lethal force. On September 9, an Israeli strike hit Hamas’ leadership in Doha, killing several senior aides while sparing the delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya. Qatar condemned the attack and formed a legal committee to pursue accountability.
Regarding US proposals for a hostages-for-prisoners exchange, Hamad said, “We insisted on a comprehensive deal to return all hostages within 24 hours, but Israel refused.” He denied that hostages were being used as human shields. Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, has warned that the ongoing Israeli ground offensive increases risks to hostages.
Israel estimates that 48 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 alive, while more than 11,100 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons under conditions human rights groups say include torture, starvation, and medical neglect. Hamas has repeatedly expressed willingness for partial or comprehensive prisoner exchanges.
Since October 2023, Israeli operations in Gaza have killed over 65,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leaving the territory largely uninhabitable and exacerbating famine and disease.