UN chief calls Gaza disarmament deal rare positive news for Middle East

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described a newly announced deal for the disarmament of Hamas as a rare and positive piece of news for the Middle East. The agreement, revealed by U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

Guterres characterized the deal as an exception amid a deteriorating situation in the region. He emphasized the need for a cessation of hostilities across the board, highlighting the nearly six-month military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran and its expanding impact on surrounding countries. "What began as a regional conflict is increasingly becoming a source of global instability," Guterres stated.

President Trump announced Thursday that the Peace Council had reached a "historic" agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. The Peace Council subsequently released the full text of the plan, titled "Plan for the completion of the implementation of President Trump's comprehensive peace plan in Gaza." The document outlines a phased approach to end the war, secure a full Israeli withdrawal, and transfer administration of the territory to the Gaza National Committee.

While reports suggest Hamas has agreed to the deal, the group stressed that Israel must end its military operations and withdraw from Gaza before disarmament proceeds. However, Israeli far-right Minister of Internal Security Itamar Ben Gvir deemed the agreement "unacceptable." Trump, on the same day, stated that Israel was satisfied with the deal.

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I want to say clearly: the fighting in the region must stop on all fronts. For six months, there has been military escalation (war between the US and Iran) in the Persian Gulf. What began as a regional conflict is increasingly becoming a source of global instability.