Key Takeaways
- US President Donald Trump claims a phased disarmament agreement with Hamas has been reached.
- Hamas officials describe the deal as a draft and express skepticism about full compliance.
- Israeli officials remain skeptical of the plan's success.
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that talks in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders had led to a phased disarmament agreement in Gaza. However, the deal remains uncertain as Israeli support for the plan is not guaranteed.
In a social media post, Trump stated: 'Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.' He added that this was a significant step towards lasting peace and security.
The agreement, according to Trump, is part of his plan to rebuild Gaza under a new Palestinian government working closely with the Board of Peace. He emphasized: 'At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks.'
However, Hamas officials have described the deal as a draft and expressed concerns about its implementation. Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating team, told Al Jazeera that heavy weapons would only be stored under Palestinian administration control and could not be transferred to Israel.
Hamad added: 'We will not take any action regarding disarmament prior to Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip.' This statement highlights the ongoing tensions between Hamas and Israel over the terms of the agreement.
US officials also expressed skepticism about the plan's success. A US official told reporters that while they are confident in the agreement, President Trump would be 'very, very disappointed' if Hamas did not adhere to it.
The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s announcement. An Israeli official, who declined to be identified, said before Trump's announcement: 'Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of weapons from Gaza and the complete demilitarization of the Strip as a precondition for any process.'
The official added that Israel had rejected a proposal presented by the Board of Peace. This rejection underscores the challenges in achieving a consensus among all parties involved.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, according to medics. These incidents cast further doubt on the prospects for a peaceful resolution.
'Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.'
US President Donald Trump, US President
'We will not take any action regarding disarmament prior to Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip.'
Ghazi Hamad, member of the Hamas negotiating team, Hamas official
