Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that an agreement has been reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. Trump described the deal, brokered by his international “Board of Peace,” as a “HISTORIC agreement” and a “monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.” The agreement outlines a phased approach to disarmament, with Israeli forces expected to withdraw from Gaza as the process is completed. An International Stabilization Force, working in conjunction with a new Palestinian police force, would then assume security responsibilities in the territory.
Details regarding the exact timeline for disarmament remain unclear. According to reports, Hamas communicated through mediators that it has agreed to the final text of the plan, which includes the decommissioning of their weapons. A senior Hamas official also confirmed Hamas’ agreement to the plan for Gaza’s disarmament to CBS News’ partner network BBC News. However, Israel has not yet publicly commented on the announcement, and initial reports indicate skepticism from Israeli officials regarding Hamas’ willingness to surrender its weapons.
The negotiations stem from a 20-point peace proposal put forth by Trump last fall to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The conflict escalated significantly after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the taking of roughly 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to a high Palestinian death toll, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
While Trump’s announcement portrays a significant breakthrough, several uncertainties and potential hurdles persist. A Hamas official described the deal as a draft, and some reports suggest that Israel remains skeptical about Hamas’ commitment to disarming. A key point of contention appears to be the sequencing of disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Hamas officials have indicated they will not take action regarding disarmament prior to Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip, while stressing that Israel must commit to and implement its obligations.
The proposed framework also includes the elimination of tunnels, arms stockpiles, and weapons production facilities. A U.S. official characterized the agreement as a “conditions-based deal.” The plan envisions a gradual transition of authority, with a new Palestinian government working closely with the Board of Peace to govern Gaza. The ultimate goal is for Gaza to no longer be used as a base for terror attacks, thereby ensuring security for Israel.
The Board of Peace confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Hamas had “agreed to a detailed roadmap for implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire.” The organization stated that its focus would now shift to implementation, with a phased transition toward full authority expected soon. Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, emphasized that the deal took “months of very difficult negotiations” and that “implementation and verification have to be real,” adding that withdrawal must move in lockstep with decommissioning.
However, an Israeli official indicated that the proposed terms were not satisfactory, stating that Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of weapons from Gaza and the complete demilitarization of the Strip, as a precondition for any process. This official added that the plan under discussion did not provide a satisfactory response to these demands. In a briefing to reporters, a U.S. official acknowledged that differences between the two sides remained, with Israel being “very sceptical that Hamas will disarm.”
Hamas’ founding charter advocates for armed resistance against Israel, and the group has been hesitant to relinquish its arsenal, which includes rockets, anti-tank missiles, and explosives. Earlier this month, Hamas announced the dissolution of its government in Gaza and preparations to transfer power to a UN-backed technical committee as part of the ceasefire deal.
Egypt’s state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that Cairo is set to host a meeting of Gaza truce mediators soon, focusing on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. This meeting will include mediators from the US, Qatar, and Turkey. A diplomatic source indicated that the roadmap offers a balanced and pragmatic path forward, with all weapons decommissioned and a phased transition of responsibilities to hand over full authority to the technocratic government.
The announcement comes nearly three years after the conflict’s escalation. Negotiations have been largely deadlocked over the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza. The Board of Peace official noted that the disarmament process could take between 200 and 350 days.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
