President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that negotiations in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders have resulted in a “historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas” to be implemented in structured phases, reports BritPanorama.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, while progress was made, there are concerns regarding the durability of the agreement due to an Israeli official labeling the proposed terms as unsatisfactory.
Trump emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating, “This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people.” He also noted that, in conjunction with the disarmament, Israel would achieve the security it requires, as Gaza would no longer serve as a launchpad for terrorist activities.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington and Hamas representatives did not respond immediately to requests for comments regarding Trump’s statement.
Earlier in the day, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, according to reports from medical officials.
A Hamas official and a diplomat involved in the Cairo talks indicated that the progress made would be assessed based on Israel’s reaction and whether it would facilitate a broader agreement.
However, the Israeli official, who preferred to remain unnamed, stated that Israel had rejected the latest proposal. “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 asserted, adding that the current document does not adequately address these requirements.
A road map toward Hamas disarmament?
Hamas leaders are currently engaged in discussions with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey regarding the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, as outlined by his Board of Peace.
Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations reported to the Security Council that the road map proposed by Trump’s Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, has yet to gain support from both Israel and Hamas, with the demilitarization of Gaza emerging as a central obstacle.
The Board of Peace declined to comment on the discussions ongoing in Cairo.
According to the diplomat familiar with the talks, there are signs of progress toward a plan aimed at the disarmament of heavy and light weapons in Gaza, which also includes an increase in humanitarian aid, governance by a civilian Palestinian administration, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of an international force for security maintenance.
However, previous attempts to advance this plan have faced significant delays.
Handover of weapons could be sticking point
On Thursday, a Hamas official expressed optimism about a “positive and good” response but did not specify whether the group has agreed to complete disarmament—a key point of contention in negotiations over recent months.
Hamas has articulated demands for Israel to cease its attacks on Gaza and withdraw its military presence.
Insiders have indicated that Hamas is open to “confine and store” heavy weaponry under a Palestinian authority, rather than surrender them to Israel. Hamas has not made an official statement regarding this development.
The future of light or personal weapons remains uncertain, as does the acceptance of Hamas’s new position by Israel or the Board of Peace.
The diplomat present at the talks noted that the proposed roadmap also states that authority would be transferred in incremental phases to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, adhering to the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon.”
According to the diplomat, the plan entails the dismantling of tunnels, arms depots, and weapon production facilities, with the aim of concluding discussions on ensuring no militant infrastructure remains in Gaza.
Currently, the situation on the ground in Gaza diverges significantly from this prospective roadmap.
The Israeli military continues to expand its operations in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing intentions to extend control over 70% of the territory.
It remains uncertain how many forces will be deployed with the proposed International Stabilization Force or whether Israeli troops will withdraw from the area.
In Cairo, sources indicated that Hamas had agreed to several contentious issues, including the handover of weapons, but sought modifications regarding the definition of infrastructure slated for dismantlement, suggesting further negotiations are forthcoming.
Attacks continue
While the recent truce has curtailed extensive fighting, near-daily Israeli strikes persist.
Health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of two children, a woman, and three men in Gaza on Thursday. The Israeli military stated that these strikes targeted Hamas militants.
These fatalities add to a total of over 1,200 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, who have died from Israeli attacks since the ceasefire commenced, according to Gaza health officials.
In contrast, four Israeli soldiers have lost their lives to militant actions in Gaza since the ceasefire began, while Hamas typically does not disclose its own casualty figures.
