Hamas May Soon Agree to Gradual Disarmament Deal in Gaza, US and Mediators Say

Sources close to the negotiations told N12 on July 30, 2026, that Hamas could sign an agreement in the coming days to gradually disarm and demilitarize the Gaza Strip. The deal, currently under discussion in Egypt, is seen by the White House and the Trump administration's peace council as a potential breakthrough in implementing the 20-point peace plan that ended the recent Gaza war. However, Hamas has not yet signed the agreement, and Israeli officials remain highly skeptical about the group's willingness to relinquish its weapons.

The agreement aims to transfer control of Gaza to a new Palestinian technocratic government, the National Committee for Administrative Control of Gaza (NCAG), and initiate a long-term reconstruction process after the extensive damage caused by Israeli military operations. Despite large amounts of aid entering Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with nearly two million Palestinians still living in tents and makeshift shelters. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reports nearly 1,200 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire on October 10, 2025, including many civilians and children.

Negotiations, led by the US-backed peace council and mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, have been ongoing for months. Hamas initially resisted disarmament and attempted to hand over power to the NCAG unilaterally without disarming. The mediators now hope that economic pressure and funding cuts have brought Hamas to a point where it can no longer refuse the deal. Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad is a key figure in the talks, maintaining close contact with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. Conversely, Iran is reportedly encouraging Hamas to delay signing.

The draft agreement calls for a single government and security framework in Gaza, with all heavy and light weapons dismantled over six to eight months. Hamas would provide maps of tunnels, weapons production sites, and arsenals. A new Palestinian police force, vetted by Israel's Shin Bet, would be deployed gradually as areas are demilitarized. Weapons would be stored under NCAG and international stabilization force control. Hamas militants would receive amnesty and be allowed to remain in Gaza, with a buyback program for personal weapons.

If Hamas signs, Israel would withdraw to the "yellow line" positions held after the October ceasefire, halting targeted killings except in immediate threat cases. Israeli officials doubt Hamas's sincerity, suspecting the move is tactical to ease pressure. They also distrust the Turkish and Qatari mediators, accusing them of helping Hamas politically maneuver. US envoy Steve Whitkoff briefed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the talks during a July 28 meeting with President Trump, with Netanyahu reportedly agreeing to proceed. Israeli sources say the deal is fully coordinated with Israel and would resolve Gaza's issues, but any Hamas deception would halt progress immediately.