Trump says deal reached for 'complete disarmament' of Hamas
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- President Trump announced a phased disarmament agreement for Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.
- The deal, reached through mediators in Cairo, aims for lasting peace and security in the region.
- Hamas described the agreement as a draft, and Israel expressed skepticism about the group's willingness to surrender weapons.
President Donald Trump announced a "HISTORIC agreement" for the "COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza," stating the deal was reached through mediators in Cairo. Trump described the phased disarmament as a "monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY," envisioning a Gaza governed by a new Palestinian government working with his "Board of Peace."
Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.
However, a Hamas official characterized the agreement as a "draft" and indicated that disarmament would not occur before Israel's withdrawal from the Strip. Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating team, told Al Jazeera that heavy weapons would remain under the control of a Palestinian administration and could not be transferred to Israel.
This is a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.
U.S. officials expressed confidence in Hamas's adherence to the agreement, though they noted President Trump would be "very, very disappointed" if they did not. Israel, meanwhile, remained skeptical. An Israeli official stated that Israel had rejected a proposal, demanding complete disarmament and demilitarization of the Strip as preconditions, and found the current 15-point document unsatisfactory.
We will not take any action regarding disarmament prior to Israelโs withdrawal from the Strip.
The announcement came after Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza. Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, expressed optimism for a rebuilt Gaza, at peace with Israel, and a political horizon for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel is very sceptical that Hamas will disarm.
Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.