U.S. President Donald Trump has announced what he described as a “historic agreement” for the phased disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, saying the breakthrough was reached during negotiations in Cairo involving mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
In a statement posted on social media, Trump said the agreement would lead to the “complete disarmament of Hamas” and eventually allow for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, calling it “a monumental step toward lasting peace and security.” Media outlet reported that the proposed arrangement is linked to a broader U.S.-backed plan for ending the Gaza war and rebuilding the territory.
What the proposed agreement includes
According to U.S. officials familiar with the discussions, the plan would be implemented in stages and could take 200 to 350 days to complete. Key elements reportedly include:
- Hamas surrendering heavy weapons;
- dismantling its tunnel network;
- the creation of a technocratic Palestinian administration to govern Gaza;
- deployment of an international stabilization force; and
- a large-scale reconstruction programme for the enclave.
The proposal is being coordinated through Trump’s newly established Board of Peace, an initiative aimed at overseeing security and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Hamas response
A Hamas official told mediators that the movement had agreed to continue discussions on the framework and was prepared to engage with the disarmament process. However, the official described the current text as a draft rather than a finalized agreement, indicating that further negotiations are still required.
The group has not publicly confirmed that it has accepted all of the plan’s conditions, particularly the surrender of weapons and the destruction of military infrastructure.
Israel remains skeptical
Israeli officials have not formally endorsed the announcement and have expressed strong doubts that Hamas would fully give up its weapons. Israeli security officials reportedly believe significant issues remain unresolved, including verification mechanisms and the timetable for implementation.
The Israeli government has repeatedly insisted that any lasting settlement must ensure that Hamas can no longer pose a military threat to Israel.
A possible breakthrough, but uncertainty persists
The announcement comes amid continued fighting in Gaza and renewed international pressure to secure a durable ceasefire and increase humanitarian aid to the territory.
Analysts say that while Trump’s statement represents the most significant diplomatic claim in months, the absence of clear Israeli approval and the lack of a fully signed agreement mean that the proposed disarmament deal remains highly uncertain.
If implemented, the plan could mark a major turning point in efforts to end the nearly three-year Gaza conflict, but diplomats caution that substantial political, security and logistical hurdles must still be overcome before any agreement can take effect.
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