Trump Announces Historic Agreement to Fully Disarm Hamas in Gaza Amid Israeli Reservations

US President Donald Trump declared a historic agreement reached by the Peace Council to completely disarm Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. Announced overnight between Thursday and Friday, Trump described the deal as a "monumental step toward lasting peace and security," outlining a phased plan involving Israeli troop withdrawals, deployment of an international stabilization force, and transfer of authority to a new Palestinian government working alongside local police. The goal is to ensure that the threat from the October 7 attacks never resurfaces.

Trump praised mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, and credited his team for enabling this breakthrough. He emphasized that Gaza would finally be governed by a new Palestinian administration serving its residents, while Israel would gain the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer serving as a terrorist base.

However, Israeli officials strongly rejected the US announcement. A senior Israeli diplomatic source stated that Gaza was not discussed in the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump. Israel demands full disarmament of Hamas, including removal of all weapons from Gaza, as a precondition for any process. The source also said Israel would not retreat from its "red line" in Gaza without complete disarmament and weapon removal.

Reports from Palestinian sources mention progress on a 15-point framework involving Israeli withdrawal in exchange for heavy weapons being stored but not dismantled or surrendered, which Israel has sharply criticized. Israel also submitted strong objections to envoy Tony Blair regarding the 15-point document, saying it fails to meet Israeli security requirements.

The gap between the US declaration and Israel’s position raises questions about the agreement’s substance and coordination between Washington and Jerusalem. Recent days saw a rare public dispute between the two over Gaza, with Israel rejecting proposals it deemed insufficient for its security needs.