Hamas announced on Friday that it has accepted a US-led agreement, announced by President Donald Trump, to disarm and end its conflict with Israel. The plan involves Hamas handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
While Israel has not officially responded, a political insider indicated there will be no pullback of Israeli troops until Hamas completes a genuine disarmament. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the deal, describing it as "unacceptable" and equating it to allowing Hamas to prepare for future attacks.
The disarmament of Hamas has been a major obstacle to fully implementing the ceasefire agreed in October. Trump called the agreement a significant step toward establishing a new Palestinian government in Gaza.
Hamas officials revealed that the weapons will be stored under the supervision of a committee created by Trump's Board of Peace, which will also oversee Gaza's governance during the transition. The group expects mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure Israel adheres to the terms, including its withdrawal.
Israel has insisted that full demilitarization of Gaza is a prerequisite for any troop withdrawal. Prior to the announcement, an Israeli source emphasized that removing all weapons from Gaza is essential for progress.
Ghazi Hamad, part of Hamas's negotiation team, said the group is making concessions to protect Gaza's residents from further violence and displacement. He noted that disarmament will be handled exclusively by the National Committee for Administration of Gaza, without Israeli involvement.
Despite the ceasefire, violence has persisted, with recent Israeli strikes causing civilian casualties, including children.
Next Steps Focus on Implementation
The Board of Peace confirmed on social media that Hamas has agreed to a detailed roadmap for advancing the ceasefire's next phases. The committee will soon start a phased transfer of authority in Gaza.
Trump stated that once Hamas is disarmed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and an International Stabilization Force alongside a new Palestinian police unit will maintain security in Gaza.
Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's representative, highlighted the difficulty of the negotiations and stressed that implementation and verification must be genuine, with withdrawal synchronized with disarmament.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the accord but cautioned that success depends on full commitment by all parties, noting that verifying Hamas's compliance will be challenging.
Regional Mediation and Verification
Egypt is set to host a meeting of ceasefire mediators, including the US, Qatar, and Turkey, to discuss the second phase of the truce. A diplomatic source described the roadmap as balanced and pragmatic, aiming for complete weapon decommissioning and a gradual transition of responsibilities.
The process includes eliminating tunnels, weapon depots, and production facilities, with a verification mechanism to ensure adherence from all sides. Hamas is awaiting Israel's response to proposed amendments on key articles related to weapons in the roadmap.
