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Trump says deal reached to disarm Hamas, Israeli support for plan remains uncertain

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • U.S. President Donald Trump announced a "historic agreement" for the phased disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.
  • Hamas described the deal as a draft, while U.S. officials expressed skepticism about Israel's willingness to accept it.
  • Israel has previously demanded complete disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza as a precondition for any process.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that talks in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders resulted in a phased disarmament agreement for Gaza. Trump declared on social media that the "Board of Peace" reached a "HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza," calling it a "monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY."

Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.

— Donald TrumpAnnouncing the agreement on social media.

The agreement reportedly paves the way for Gaza to be governed by a new Palestinian government working with the "Board of Peace," ensuring Israel's security by preventing Gaza from being used as a base for terror attacks. However, a Hamas official described the deal as a "draft agreement," stipulating that heavy weapons would be stored under the control of a Palestinian administration and not transferred to Israel. Hamas also stated they would not take disarmament actions prior to Israel's withdrawal from the Strip.

We will not take ⁠any action regarding disarmament prior to Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip.

— Ghazi HamadA member of the Hamas negotiating team, speaking to Al Jazeera about the conditions for disarmament.

U.S. officials expressed confidence in Hamas adhering to the agreement, though they acknowledged President Trump would be "very, very disappointed" if they did not. Questions remain about the timeline for the process, with one Board of Peace official estimating 200 to 320 days, a figure downplayed by U.S. officials.

Israel is very sceptical that Hamas will disarm.

— US officialSpeaking to reporters about Israel's reaction to the announced agreement.

Israel, however, remained skeptical. An Israeli official stated that Israel had rejected a proposal prior to Trump's announcement, demanding complete disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza as a precondition. "The 15-point document in question does not provide a satisfactory response to these demands and Israel conveyed its objections," the official said. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children.

The 15-point document in question does not provide a satisfactory response to these demands and Israel conveyed its objections.

— Israeli officialDeclining to be identified, explaining Israel's rejection of a proposal before Trump's announcement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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