US Announces Historic Deal to Disarm Hamas in Gaza, Urges Israeli Compliance

US President Donald Trump announced a historic agreement reached by the Gaza Peace Council to disarm Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. US officials stated that over the past eight months, efforts have focused on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza residents without benefiting Hamas. Coordination with Israel was described as close but cautious, with Israel not required to take many immediate steps, though it must fulfill conditions to maintain trust. The Peace Council confirmed that Hamas and other factions agreed to a comprehensive plan that establishes a monopoly on weapons and removes Hamas from Gaza's governance, with a transitional government controlling all arms.

The agreement calls for a complete halt to military activity in Gaza, aligned with the Sharm el-Sheikh protocol, and requires Israel to meet humanitarian aid and ceasefire demands. The disarmament process will be gradual, starting with police weapons, then heavy arms, weapons caches, and tunnels, overseen by an international stabilization force. Personal weapons will be regulated under existing Palestinian legislation. The plan also includes a social peace initiative signed by all factions to prevent internal violence and revenge acts. Implementation is expected to begin within one to two months.

US officials expressed confidence that Israel will comply, warning that President Trump would be very disappointed if it does not. The US also noted Iran's opposition to the deal, but stated Hamas has distanced itself from Iranian influence. The Palestinian Authority's role remains limited, pending reforms and effective governance in the West Bank, with coordination offices being established. Nikolay Mladenov, head of the Peace Council, emphasized the difficulty of negotiations and the importance of genuine implementation for rebuilding Gaza and advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Qatari Al Jazeera reported obtaining a draft document agreed upon by Hamas and other Gaza factions detailing the disarmament steps, linking them to Israel's gradual withdrawal and international oversight. Egyptian sources indicated upcoming talks involving Egypt, the US, Qatar, and Turkey to ensure all parties' commitment. Meanwhile, Israel reportedly opposes the Peace Council's plan, viewing full disarmament as a precondition and expressing reservations about the process and outcomes.