Administration without sovereignty will not free Palestine
Hamas has announced the dissolution of its governing body in Gaza and is ready to transfer civilian administration to a proposed Palestinian body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This move follows claims by Israel and its allies that Hamas's rule was an obstacle to peace. The proposed technocratic government would consist of professionals, not Hamas officials, tasked with managing civilian life. However, new conditions regarding disarmament and security arrangements have emerged, suggesting a pattern where Palestinian political formulas face ever-changing external tests. The article argues that the legitimacy of Palestinian political institutions has been repeatedly shaped by external actors, particularly Israel, which has consistently resisted Palestinian self-government and agency, rather than enabling it. The fundamental question remains who decides Gaza's political future, which is tied to representation and power, not just administration.