US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, with Israeli forces expected to withdraw as the disarmament process progresses. The announcement marks a major development in efforts to implement Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza conflict.
Trump described the agreement as a historic step towards lasting peace and security. However, the process is expected to unfold in phases, and Hamas has linked its implementation to Israel fulfilling its obligations, including the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Trump Announces Gaza Disarmament Agreement
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Board of Peace had reached an agreement covering the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups operating in Gaza.
“Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.”
Trump said the agreement would help pave the way for Gaza to be governed by a new Palestinian government working with the Board of Peace. He also said the arrangement was intended to address Israel’s security concerns by preventing Gaza from being used as a base for attacks.
Disarmament to Take Place in Structured Phases
According to Trump, the agreement is part of the implementation of his 20-point plan and will be carried out through carefully structured phases.
Under the proposed sequence, Israeli forces would withdraw as disarmament is completed. An International Stabilization Force would then work alongside a new Palestinian police force to assume responsibility for security in Gaza.
The Board of Peace has said that Hamas and other armed factions would hand over their weapons to a National Committee responsible for administering Gaza. The process would begin with weapons held by police, followed by the decommissioning of heavier weapons. The plan also calls for military activity in Gaza to end, although implementation would take time.
Hamas Links Disarmament to Israeli Withdrawal
Hamas officials also confirmed to AFP that the agreement includes provisions concerning the group’s weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating delegation, said the group would not implement the Gaza peace deal if Israeli forces failed to meet their obligations under the agreement.
“Hamas will not implement any step of the Gaza peace deal if the Israeli occupation forces do not fulfil their obligations under the agreement.”
Hamad said the disarmament process was linked to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and progress on reconstruction. He also said Israel would not be involved in the disarmament process and that a national committee would carry it out.
Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye Credited for Mediation Efforts
Trump credited Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye with helping the negotiations and also praised his own negotiating team for its role in reaching what he described as a major breakthrough.
The agreement comes after prolonged disagreement over Hamas’s weapons. Disarmament had remained a central point of contention in efforts to move forward with a broader Gaza peace arrangement.
Egypt to Host Meeting on Gaza Ceasefire Roadmap
The next stage is expected to include further talks involving key mediators. According to the material reported by Al-Qahira News and cited by Al Jazeera, Egypt is expected to host a meeting involving representatives from Egypt, the United States, Qatar and Türkiye.
The meeting is intended to reinforce commitments by the parties to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire roadmap. The proposal includes arrangements for international forces and the deployment of a National Committee to carry out administrative responsibilities in Gaza.
The plan could also open the way for early recovery and reconstruction efforts across the Gaza Strip.
What Is the Role of the International Stabilization Force?
The International Stabilization Force is expected to play a central role in the security arrangements under the proposed plan.
Its responsibilities would include supporting the training of a new Palestinian police force and helping manage the security transition as Israeli forces withdraw. The force would also oversee the decommissioning process, including work related to Gaza’s tunnel network, according to the source material.
Is This the End of the Gaza War?
The announcement represents a significant diplomatic development, but it does not by itself mean that the Gaza conflict has definitively ended. The agreement is expected to be implemented in stages, while Hamas has made its participation conditional on Israel fulfilling its obligations.
The next phase of negotiations and the implementation of the disarmament and withdrawal arrangements will therefore be crucial. The proposed transition also depends on the establishment of new Palestinian governance and security structures in Gaza.
Trump said there was still substantial work ahead despite what he called historic progress. The coming negotiations and implementation process will determine whether the agreement can translate into a lasting ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal and a new governance arrangement for Gaza.
