YONI BEN MENACHEM -- In a rare move, a former senior Hamas official is calling for a civilian emergency committee to manage Gaza — a move Israeli security sources believe is just a ploy to disguise Hamas’s continued rule.
Dr. Mohammed al-Madhoun, once an adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and a former minister in the Hamas government, published the proposal in Al-Resala, Hamas's official media outlet.
He describes Gaza as being on the brink of total collapse: hungry communities, disintegrating institutions, and social chaos. He warns that armed gangs now rule entire districts, humanitarian aid is stolen or distributed based on tribal loyalty, and the justice system has lost public trust.
Al-Madhoun calls for a six-month, non-partisan, civilian-led national committee to restore public order. The proposed body would include city representatives, academics, religious figures, clan leaders, and women, and be overseen by "neutral" Arab countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria. The plan is presented as a way to stabilize Gaza internally, not a political shift.
Yet this proposal raises suspicions — especially since it appeared on an official Hamas platform and was penned by someone deeply embedded in the group’s leadership. Israeli officials see it as a calculated attempt by Hamas to appear open to change while maintaining real power behind the scenes.
Critics point out what’s not in the article: there’s no mention of disarming Hamas, removing its top leaders, or acknowledging the devastation it brought upon Gaza — including the October 7 massacre in Israel. There’s no sign of regret or openness to reevaluating the group’s military path.
Israeli security officials warn the move is “a show.” As long as Hamas retains its weapons and enforces power through force — even behind a civilian facade — there’s no genuine change.
They believe the idea is meant to ease domestic and international pressure, not lead to real reform or a ceasefire.