Trump Announces Historic Agreement to Fully Disarm Hamas in Gaza Strip

US President Donald Trump announced overnight that the Gaza Peace Council has reached a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. He stated that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from Gaza upon completion of this step, calling it a monumental move toward lasting peace and security. Trump emphasized that the agreement is a critical step toward a future Palestinian government in Gaza cooperating closely with the Peace Council to assist Palestinians, while ensuring Israel’s security by preventing Gaza from being a base for terror attacks.

Trump’s statement, posted on his social media platform Truth Social, described the agreement as a significant milestone in implementing a 20-point plan. The disarmament process will be gradual and cautious, with Israeli forces withdrawing as it progresses. An international stabilization force will work alongside a new Palestinian police force responsible for civilian security. Trump acknowledged the humanitarian crisis and violence from the previous year and thanked Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for mediating. He asserted that the threat from Gaza on October 7 will not be rebuilt.

However, Israeli officials have tempered expectations, clarifying that the agreement discussed in Cairo is between Hamas and mediators, not Israel. Jerusalem rejects the current framework, demanding full disarmament of Hamas and removal of all weapons from Gaza as prerequisites for any progress. Israeli authorities have submitted their objections to envoy Tony Blair and insist no IDF withdrawal will occur before Hamas is fully disarmed. The issue of Gaza was not discussed during a recent meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump.

A Hamas-affiliated source told Israeli media that a formula has been devised for handing over and storing weapons under an agreed mechanism, accepted by Hamas and mediators. According to the roadmap discussed in Cairo, Hamas is to surrender all light and heavy arms, tunnels, weapons caches, and production facilities within weeks. Weapons will be transferred to international forces and stored securely, with only a technocratic Palestinian committee ultimately authorized to hold arms.

In January, the US announced the formation of a 15-member National Committee to manage Gaza, led by Ali Shati, which is intended to replace Hamas’s governance and oversee civil services. Hamas recently dissolved its emergency government and expressed willingness to transfer civilian management to this committee, though it retains security control. Israel remains skeptical, warning that as long as Hamas keeps its weapons, any civilian government would still be under its influence. The timing and conditions of Israeli withdrawal remain major obstacles, with Hamas demanding guarantees of full Israeli withdrawal before disarmament, while Israel insists on disarmament first. The current ceasefire line, known as the "yellow line," was meant as a temporary boundary for further withdrawals, but Israel still controls over half of Gaza and has established physical and security barriers along parts of the line.