Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of the governing body that has managed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades. The decision is intended to clear the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to implement and take over civilian rule in the territory.
This move marks a significant political shift for Hamas, which has run Gaza since its fighters seized control from the rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007.
Officials for the militant organization confirmed that the move was agreed to earlier this year in a peace deal with Israel. Hamas signaled its readiness to hand over power to the technocrats as it presses Israel to honor other parts of a stalled U.S.-backed peace plan.