Palestinians long for peace but doubt Trump's deal with Hamas will hold

Palestinians in Gaza have voiced deep skepticism regarding Hamas's announcement of laying down its weapons, a move intended to restart the stalled peace process. Many fear the declaration will not bring about any tangible change in the war-ravaged strip.

Former US President Donald Trump heralded Hamas's agreement to "completely disarm" on Friday, following months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy. However, Hamas has insisted that its decision is contingent upon Israel upholding its end of the bargain, which includes withdrawing forces from significant parts of Gaza and ceasing daily strikes.

“

We welcome any agreement that is genuine and will actually be implemented. Over the past three years, we've heard many agreements and proposed solutions, yet the situation on the ground has only continued to deteriorate.

Rabih Al-Balawi, 57, who has been displaced 23 times during the conflict, expressed his doubts. "We welcome any agreement that is genuine and will actually be implemented," he told ABC News. "Over the past three years, we've heard many agreements and proposed solutions, yet the situation on the ground has only continued to deteriorate." He added, "From what I've seen, believing they will honour any agreement would be naive. These people keep neither promises nor agreements."

“

From what I've seen, believing they will honour any agreement would be naive. These people keep neither promises nor agreements.

Sanaa Shreir, 54, shared her hope for an improved humanitarian situation in Gaza. "Disarmament is not an easy issue for us, but given what our people are going through, it may be acceptable," she said. "Israel's word doesn't mean much in reality. We can only hope that God makes this happen."

Hamas, designated a terrorist organization under Australian law, has been engaged in lengthy negotiations with mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye. The group has stated it will hand over its weapons to be stored and supervised by the Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), established by Trump's Board of Peace. Israel, however, has consistently insisted on the complete removal of weapons from Gaza and has not allowed NCAG to enter the strip. Hamas has stated it will disarm only after Israeli forces withdraw, while Israel maintains it will pull troops out only after Hamas completes disarmament, creating a significant deadlock.

“

Disarmament is not an easy issue for us, but given what our people are going through, it may be acceptable. Israel's word doesn't mean much in reality. We can only hope that God makes this happen.