Hamas: Gaza Strip governance transfer is fully ready

Hamas announced on Thursday (January 29th) that the handover of governance authority in the Gaza Strip is fully ready. Once the Palestinian technical bureaucracy arrives in Gaza, the relevant procedures will be immediately initiated.

Xinhua News Agency reported that Hamas spokesperson Kasim emphasized in a written statement that Hamas will complete the transfer of governance power in a "respectful" manner, demonstrating the flexibility of its organizational structure and its commitment to the Palestinian people, while eliminating any excuses that might hinder the reconstruction and relief efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on the 29th, a senior Hamas official, Mazouk, issued a statement saying that Hamas has never agreed to hand over any weapons for "resistance" in any form. The statement said that any arrangements involving the Gaza Strip must be negotiated and reached with Hamas.

On the same day, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, Badran, issued a statement saying that weapons are a "comprehensive issue" concerning Palestine and are not just a matter for Hamas alone.

On January 14th, the United States announced the launch of the second phase of the "20-point plan" to end the conflict in Gaza. The special envoy of US President Trump, Witkov, said that the second phase would begin the "comprehensive demilitarization" and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, mainly by disarming "all unauthorized personnel".