Trump Announces Hamas Disarmament Agreement Amid Ongoing Gaza Ceasefire
WASHINGTON-U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that an agreement had been reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, describing the development as a major step toward establishing a new Palestinian administration in the territory. The announcement came as mediators prepared for further ceasefire talks in Cairo, although Hamas did not immediately confirm that such an agreement had been finalized.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the agreement envisioned the phased dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities under what he called a carefully structured process. He said that, as disarmament progressed, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza, while an International Stabilization Force would work alongside a newly established Palestinian police force to maintain security.
Trump thanked Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye for their mediation efforts, describing the agreement as a significant milestone toward achieving lasting peace and security. His statement marked the strongest public indication yet from Washington that negotiations had advanced on one of the most contentious elements of the Gaza ceasefire process.
There was no immediate public response from Hamas following Trump’s announcement. However, sources familiar with the negotiations told AFP that discussions involving mediators in Cairo had moved closer to an arrangement under which the Palestinian armed group would decommission its weapons.
The issue of Hamas’s disarmament has remained one of the principal obstacles to advancing the next stage of the ceasefire that has been in effect between Israel and Hamas since October. While the truce has reduced large-scale hostilities, violence has continued. Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes on Thursday killed at least four people, including two children.
Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al-Qahera News reported that representatives of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye are expected to meet in Cairo soon to discuss implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire framework. The outlet did not specify the timing of the meeting but said discussions would focus on a roadmap already accepted by Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
Under Trump’s 20-point peace proposal for Gaza, the second phase includes the gradual disarmament of Hamas and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave. The plan also calls for the creation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a body of Palestinian technocrats tasked with overseeing the territory’s civilian administration during a transitional period.
A diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that the proposed implementation roadmap provides for all weapons in Gaza to be placed under the authority of the NCAG, supported by the International Stabilization Force. The source said the framework allows for no exemptions, adding that all weapons, tunnels, ammunition depots and production facilities would ultimately be dismantled through a monitored verification mechanism.
Earlier on Thursday, a Hamas source told AFP that the group had submitted amendments to parts of the proposal and was awaiting Israel’s response. According to the source, Hamas proposed revisions to provisions concerning weapons by removing certain points and replacing them with alternative language, though no further details were disclosed.
An Israeli political source, also speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the current proposal did not adequately satisfy Israel’s security requirements. The source reiterated Israel’s longstanding position that any agreement must include the complete disarmament of Hamas, removal of all weapons from Gaza and full demilitarization of the territory before any broader political process can move forward.
The Israeli source also said Gaza was not discussed during this week’s meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump in Washington, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing the ceasefire and post-war governance arrangements.
