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Trump hails ‘historic’ Hamas disarmament deal
Skepticism remains despite breakthrough in Gaza negotiations
Donald Trump has hailed a “historic” deal under which Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza would begin disarming in exchange for the possible withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.
On Thursday night, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that his Board of Peace had taken a “monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY” by brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
“The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases,” Trump said, adding that Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza “as disarmament is completed.”
He added: “Under this agreement, Gaza will finally be in the hands of a new Palestinian government that serves its people.”
Israel, whose forces control around 60 percent of the territory, has not officially commented on the plan.
Trump would be “very disappointed” if Israel did not begin to withdraw along the lines of the agreement, US officials insisted.
However, the same officials acknowledged skepticism about Hamas’s willingness to follow through.
A senior Hamas official, Ghazi Hamad, said the terror group had made a “difficult decision” and “a concession” to save the Palestinians of Gaza, who he said were facing “extermination.”
He added: “The agreement contains a clear provision that Israel must commit to and implement its obligations. If Israel does not uphold the agreement, neither will we.”
A Hamas source told Reuters news agency the “draft agreement” stipulates heavy weapons would only be stored and kept under the control of a Palestinian administration – not transferred to Israel.
In the UK, First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said: “It’s extremely welcome news if there has been any progress in the peace negotiations and any steps toward disarming Hamas.
“Obviously, we will need to await the Israeli government’s response, its commitment to the ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza, and action to stop settler violence in the West Bank.
“But if progress has been made, it is extremely welcome news. The suffering in Gaza and the wider region has been too severe for far too long, and the human cost of the war has been absolutely obscene and intolerable.”
She added: “We’re awaiting a response from the Israeli government, and will set out our wider government response in due course.”
The announcement comes nine months after a US-brokered ceasefire was signed, with negotiations between Israel and Hamas largely deadlocked since then.
The truce was part of Trump’s 20-point plan, which ultimately aims for a new Palestinian government.
In a statement the Board of Peace said:”The Board of Peace and the mediating countries of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States today are pleased to announce that Hamas has agreed to a detailed Roadmap for implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire.
“The agreement concludes months of intensive, good faith negotiations to advance President Donald J. Trump’s vision for establishing new governance, security, humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and economic recovery in Gaza as set out in the Comprehensive Peace Plan and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803.
“The Roadmap represents a historic breakthrough. For the first time, Hamas officially has committed to an actionable plan for relinquishing all its weapons, which will be followed by Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
“It holds the promise of delivering significant benefits to the people of Gaza, who have waited for too long for a better future, and security to the people of Israel.
“Our focus now turns to implementation. The Board of Peace has worked closely with the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). It will soon begin a phased transition toward full authority, backed by the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), and will accelerate implementation of the rule of law, security, and humanitarian improvement in Gaza.”
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