Trump announces Hamas disarmament agreement under Gaza peace plan

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new development in his Gaza peace plan, stating that Hamas has agreed to "complete disarmament" of all armed groups in the enclave, according to a senior Hamas official who spoke to the BBC. However, conflicting statements from Hamas and Israeli officials highlight ongoing uncertainties about the agreement’s implementation.

A Hamas official, Ghazi Hamad, told Reuters that the group’s acceptance of the plan hinges on Israel first fulfilling its commitments under a prior ceasefire agreement. Hamad emphasized that Hamas would only proceed with disarmament after Israel ends its attacks, withdraws forces to pre-October positions, and increases aid flows to Gaza. This stance contrasts with a separate BBC report citing a Hamas official confirming the group’s agreement to disarm, though no official statement has been released. Hamas representatives have also disputed claims that the group has committed to an "actionable plan for relinquishing all its weapons," as stated by the Board of Peace.

The agreement, part of Trump’s broader "Board of Peace" framework, includes a phased disarmament process preceding Israel’s withdrawal. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body tasked with governing the enclave, issued a statement welcoming the progress and expressing readiness to assume responsibilities. Germany, a major donor, pledged support for the plan, while the NCAG’s statement noted the need for international cooperation to ensure stability. However, the Board of Peace’s role as a U.S.-led entity has drawn scrutiny, with critics questioning its authority to dictate terms without broader international consensus.

Israel’s response remains unclear. An Israeli political source stated the country would not agree to withdraw behind the so-called Yellow Line — its pre-October positions — until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is demilitarized. This aligns with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s previous opposition to a permanent Israeli withdrawal, as well as his upcoming election in October, which may influence his stance. Trump met with Netanyahu on Tuesday, though no official Israeli comments on the agreement have been released.

The agreement’s feasibility faces skepticism, particularly amid ongoing violence. Hours after Trump’s announcement, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least six Palestinians, according to the original source material. Gazan residents, still grappling with the aftermath of the 2023 conflict, expressed doubt about the deal’s prospects. “You Trump, you should start it from your end, ceasefire, stop the assassinations and complete the Israeli army’s withdrawal,” said Samir Ayad, a displaced resident in Gaza City.

The Board of Peace’s plan also includes establishing a new Palestinian government and deploying an international stabilization force. A U.S. official estimated the disarmament process could take 200–350 days, while the Board of Peace suggested Gaza’s police force would hand over weapons to the NCAG within two weeks. However, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and 90% displaced since the war began, continues to cast doubt on the timeline.

Hamas’s conditional acceptance of the agreement underscores the deepening divide between the parties. While the Board of Peace and U.S. officials frame the deal as a breakthrough, Hamas and Israeli leaders remain locked in mutual distrust. The plan’s success will depend on whether Israel and Hamas can bridge their differences, with the U.S.-backed framework facing scrutiny over its authority and practicality.