The Palestinian movement Hamas has signaled resistance to foreign governance in postwar Gaza as well as calls demanding the group to give up its weapons.
Currently, the US is pushing for the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which centers on establishing a technocratic government alongside the demilitarization and reconstruction of the Strip.
Rejecting Foreign Rule
Hamas political leader, Khaled Meshaal, said on Sunday that the group rejects any external intervention in Gaza. Speaking at Al-Jazeera Forum in Doha, Meshaal called on the Board of Peace to adopt a “balanced approach” that would allow the reconstruction of Gaza as well as the increased flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip’s population.
Importantly, Meshaal warned that Hamas would not accept foreign rule over Gaza. “We adhere to our national principles and reject the logic of guardianship, external intervention, or the return of a mandate in any form,” he said.
“Palestinians are to govern Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and to Palestine. We will not accept foreign rule,” the Hamas official stated.
Gaza Governance
Under Trump’s peace plan, a committee of 15 Palestinian technocrats would temporarily administer Gaza, under the supervision of the Board of Peace.
On January 14, 2026, mediator countries Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye announced the formation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), chaired by Ali Shaath.
Earlier this year, Hamas announced it would dissolve its current government in Gaza once a Palestinian technocratic leadership assumes control of the territory, in line with US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
Board of Peace Meeting
The US has invited world leaders to attend the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace on February 19, 2026 at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.
Trump officially launched the Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in January. This international body, chaired by Trump himself, will oversee the transitional governance in Gaza and form an international stabilization force to demilitarize the Strip.
Trump also suggested an expanded role for the Gaza Board of Peace to resolve global conflicts, raising concerns it could rival the UN.
“Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations. We’re going to have peace in the world,” Trump said during the signing ceremony.
Board of Peace Structure
The Gaza Board of Peace includes a founding Executive Board, involving leaders with expertise in diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy.
Each member will manage a specific portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization, such as governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization.
Meanwhile, the former UN envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, serves as the Board of Peace “High Representative” for Gaza, acting as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the NCAG.
The Board also comprises an 11-member Gaza Executive Board to support the work of the NCAG. It includes US State Secretary Marco Rubio, US Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Mladenov, in addition to representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the UAE.
No Disarmament
In his remarks, Meshaal rejected calls to disarm Hamas, insisting on the group’s right to resistance as long as the Israeli occupation continues. “Criminalizing the resistance, its weapons, and those who carried it out is something we should not accept,” he said.
“As long as there is occupation, there is resistance. Resistance is a right of peoples under occupation … something nations take pride in,” Meshaal added.
These remarks come at a critical juncture, as the second phase of the peace plan calls for the disarmament of Hamas and the comprehensive demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Trump has repeatedly threatened Hamas with severe consequences should it refuse to disarm.
In this context, Meshaal highlighted the Palestinian group’s vision on the issue, suggesting an extended truce as an alternative to complete disarmament. “Hamas proposed a truce of five to seven to 10 years. This is a guarantee that these weapons are not used,” he noted, adding that mediator countries can provide a guarantee for that.
