Hamas Accepts Deal for Disarmament and Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza Amid Doubts

Hamas announced Friday it has accepted a deal to end the war in Gaza, which includes the group's disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Palestinian territory. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the agreement, calling it a "crucial step" toward a new Palestinian government for Gaza.

Details of the agreement emerged from statements by Hamas officials and diplomatic sources. Two senior Hamas officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the deal, emphasizing their expectation that mediators and the newly formed Peace Council would ensure Israeli adherence to the terms and oversee Hamas's disarmament. Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas negotiator, stated the group was making concessions "for the sake of our people in the Gaza Strip, to save them from death and displacement."

According to a diplomatic source, weapons would be handed over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a body of Palestinian technocrats tasked with managing daily life in Gaza during a transition period. Hamas had previously announced the dissolution of the committee that had administered Gaza's civil affairs since 2007, intending to transfer responsibilities to the NCAG.

The Peace Council confirmed on X that Hamas had "accepted a detailed roadmap to implement the next phases of the ceasefire in Gaza" and that a "gradual transition will begin soon." Negotiations had been ongoing for weeks in Egypt to finalize the ceasefire agreement. Trump expressed that Israel was "very happy" with the deal, stating, "We have an understanding with Israel. Israel is very happy about this."

However, analysts remain skeptical about the swiftness of Israel's withdrawal. With legislative elections approaching in October, some doubt that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government would agree to a rapid pullout from Gaza, a territory Israel controls more than 60% of.