GAZA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Hamas affirmed on Tuesday its readiness to hand over governance in the Gaza Strip, while accusing Nickolay Mladenov, "high representative for Gaza" of the U.S.-led "Board of Peace," of obstructing the work of the Gaza technocratic committee.
Hamas is "categorically and decisively ready to hand over all areas of governance, including security, to the national committee that was agreed upon and is still in Cairo," Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told reporters in Gaza.
Claims by some parties suggesting Hamas refuses to hand over governance in Gaza "are lies and a disinformation campaign aimed at inciting against the movement and giving the Israeli occupation a pretext to escalate its aggression in Gaza," Qassem said.
Israel is preventing the committee from entering through the crossings, he added, accusing both Israel and Mladenov of obstructing the handover process.
On May 13, during a press conference in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mladenov called on the political leadership governing Gaza to step down immediately.
A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip has been in effect since Oct. 10, 2025. Its first phase included an exchange of prisoners and detainees between the two sides, the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from some areas.
The United States announced in mid-January the start of the second phase of its proposed peace plan, which includes a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, the commencement of reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of a transitional governing body in the enclave. ■
