Hamas said on Monday that it has completed preparations to hand over its administrative control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
According to a statement by Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, a national oversight body, composed of representatives from various Gaza-based political factions, local families, and members of civil society, will supervise the transfer process to ensure a smooth transition. Hamas called on all relevant parties and institutions to facilitate the work of the technocratic committee as part of efforts to launch a comprehensive Gaza reconstruction initiative.
The announcement came just weeks after international mediators involved in ceasefire negotiations declared that the Palestinian Technocratic Committee had been officially formed in January 2026 to manage civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip.
Led by former senior Palestinian official Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, the 15-member committee is tasked with overseeing critical sectors such as healthcare, education, local governance, judiciary, and public services, independent of direct political control.
The NCAG was formed in mid-January in accordance with a U.S. plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which includes the demilitarization of Hamas and the reconstruction of the enclave.
Hamas says ready to hand over Gaza administration to Palestinian technocratic committee
Hamas says ready to hand over Gaza administration to Palestinian technocratic committee
Hamas says ready to hand over Gaza administration to Palestinian technocratic committee
The Chinese Embassy in the United States on Saturday hosted a China-U.S. Youth Spring Festival Gala, bringing together more than 500 young people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a series of cultural activities.
The event in Washington, D.C., brought together young people from both the U.S. and China and featured a whole host of traditional performances and Chinese customs to mark the upcoming Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, which this year lands on Feb 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse.
Attendees were able to explore the items on display at stalls set up in the style of a classic temple fair, try their hand at paper-cutting, admire the works of the age-old Suzhou embroidery technique, or even take part in a game of the traditional Touhu, or pitch-pot, an archery-like activity involving throwing arrows into a pot.
Chinese ambassador to the United States Xie Feng also invited U.S. students to join him in making glutinous rice balls, or Tang Yuan, a specialty served up during the Spring Festival period which symbolizes family reunions.
The gathering also invited American teachers and students who had previously visited or studied in China to share their experiences and stories from their travels in the country.
Among those present was William, a student who attended the Cascade Elementary School in Orem, Utah. He shared how he and his classmates received a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping after they had sent New Year greetings to Xi several years ago.
William said this unexpected reply from the Chinese president has greatly inspired him and enhanced his commitment to fostering more communication with Chinese students.
"Receiving that reply from him, it made me realize and want to work with Chinese people more and make that connection even stronger," said William.
The event also saw promotional reels being played for a media project dubbed "China Travel with Chinese Films" as well as a preview for the China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala -- an hours-long variety show broadcast on Chinese New Year's Eve each year -- further immersing audience members and attendees in the festive spirit.
Chinese embassy in US hosts youth Spring Festival gala
