Hamas refuses to govern post-conflict Gaza — The Times of Israel

Hamas has expressed unwillingness to take part in post-conflict governance of the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reports.

According to a source from the group’s negotiation team, “for Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue.

Hamas will not participate in the transitional phase, which means it has relinquished control over the territory, but it remains part of the broader Palestinian structure.”

The Gaza war, sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, displaced 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, and destroyed infrastructure, worsening famine due to aid restrictions. Previous ceasefires in November 2023, which saw 105 hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners, and January 2025, with 28 hostages swapped for over 1,000 prisoners, collapsed due to rearmament.

This led to U.S. President Trump's September 2025 20-point "Comprehensive End of Gaza War" plan, outlining phased exchanges of all 48 remaining hostages—approximately 20 alive and 28 bodies—for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners starting October 11, partial Israeli troop withdrawals, Hamas disarmament, increased humanitarian aid, and international oversight for reconstruction and a two-state solution framework. Indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh from October 7 to 9, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, initiated Phase 1 on October 10, with 12 hostages released on October 11 via the Rafah crossing.