- Hamas confirmed it agreed to the first step to end the war in Gaza, while Israel remained silent on an arrangement that includes Hamas surrendering its weapons to a Palestinian committee in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal.
- Trump said the US has an “understanding” with Israel and that Israel was “very happy” about the Hamas disarmament deal, although the country had not agreed to its terms.
- Trump described the deal as a “great breakthrough”, and the preliminary agreement was announced after a meeting of mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the US, with at least 73,341 Palestinians killed in Gaza.
- Under the deal, Hamas would prepare a weapons inventory over 14 days; the International Stabilization Force (ISF) and a new Palestinian police force would oversee transfer of weapons to a Palestinian National Committee, and Israeli forces would incrementally withdraw.
- Al Jazeera reported no specific deadlines for weapons transfer or withdrawal; the process would begin after the “changing the security situation on the ground” and involved several rounds of Israeli approval.
- An International Board of Peace was launched to oversee the deal, with Trump as chair, and a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza was appointed to oversee daily administrative operations.
- Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the plan “unacceptable to Israel” and “tantamount to agreeing to Hamas organising for the next massacre”; ambassador Danny Danon said Israel would only support a deal ensuring Hamas cannot “touch this weapon again”.
- Harlan Ullman called the agreement “very fragile” and said success depends on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections in October; he hoped Trump’s optimism is justified.
Hamas has confirmed its agreement to a multi-phase disarmament plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 73,341 Palestinians. The deal, announced after a meeting of mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the US, involves Hamas preparing an inventory of its weapons over 14 days, with potential extensions.56789
President Trump stated, “We do have an understanding with Israel. Israel’s very happy about it. Israel helped us with it,” although Israeli officials have expressed skepticism. Far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the plan “unacceptable to Israel,” suggesting it could allow Hamas to regroup for future attacks.1213
The agreement includes the establishment of an International Board of Peace to oversee the disarmament process, with Trump as its chair. A new Palestinian police force will manage the weapons transfer to a Palestinian National Committee, which will monitor the arms.11
Despite the optimism, experts warn that the agreement is fragile. Harlan Ullman, chairman of the Killowen Group, cautioned, “This is a very fragile agreement. It needs to be nurtured.” The success of the deal hinges on the response of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces significant political pressures ahead of elections in October.1415
“Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dismissed the plan as 'unacceptable to Israel' and 'tantamount to agreeing to Hamas organising for the next massacre'. The preliminary deal, announced after mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the US met, includes a Hamas weapons inventory over 14 days with no specific deadlines for weapon transfer or Israeli withdrawal.”
