Hamas offers to cede control of Gaza “immediately” to any Palestinian faction

A senior Hamas leader said today (Thursday) that the terrorist group is ready to hand over civilian control of the Gaza Strip to any Palestinian party "immediately."

One of Israel's conditions for a full ceasefire is that Hamas cease to have any part in the governance of the Gaza Strip, in order to prevent the terrorist group from benefitting from tax money or other support provided by such governance.

However, while Hamas has repeatedly signaled its interest in divesting itself of at least some governing power, the question of their replacement remains fraught. Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of replacing a Hamastan with a Fatahstan, and as the Palestinian Authority is led by Fatah, that rules out the other major power player in Palestinian politics.

Whether any other alternative is viable remains an open question.