WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced that talks in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders have led to a “historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas” in what he described as structured phases, reports BritPanorama.
Sources close to the talks indicated earlier Thursday that while progress was made, it remains uncertain whether the agreement will hold, as an Israeli official noted that the proposed terms were unsatisfactory. “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,” Trump stated in a social media post.
He further emphasized that Israel would receive the security it needs, asserting that “Gaza will no longer be used as a base for terror attacks.” The Israeli Embassy in Washington and Hamas did not respond immediately to requests for comment about Trump’s remarks.
Earlier on the same day, Israeli airstrikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, according to medics. A Hamas official and a diplomat close to the Cairo discussions noted the progress would be tested by Israel’s actions and whether it would enable a comprehensive accord to be reached.
However, the unidentified Israeli official conveyed 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,” he stated. He added, “The 15-point document in question does not provide a satisfactory response to these demands, and Israel conveyed its objections.”
A road map toward Hamas disarmament?
Hamas leaders are currently engaged in talks with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey regarding the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, which is overseen by his Board of Peace. Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Anna Evstigneeva, remarked that a road map prepared by Trump’s Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, has yet to gain the necessary support from Israel or Hamas, with demilitarization of Gaza remaining a significant barrier.
The Board of Peace did not comment on the Cairo discussions earlier Thursday. According to the diplomat involved, the negotiations are aiming toward a road map for decommissioning all heavy and light weapons in Gaza, coupled with a surge in humanitarian aid, governance by a civilian Palestinian administration, and the eventual disarmament of Hamas.
This comprehensive plan also involves the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, paired with the deployment of an international force aimed at maintaining security. Nonetheless, progress has reportedly stagnated in recent months.
Handover of weapons could be sticking point
On Thursday, a Hamas representative conveyed that the group was prepared with a “positive and good” response but did not confirm whether it had agreed to full disarmament, which remains a sticking point in negotiations. Hamas has called for Israel to commit to ending its attacks on Gaza and withdrawing its military presence.
Insiders close to Hamas indicated that the group is willing to “confine and store” heavy weapons under the authority of a Palestinian body, rather than relinquishing them to Israel. The group has yet to provide public commentary on this aspect of the discussions.
The details surrounding light or personal weapons remain uncertain, as does whether the newly proposed Hamas stance will be accepted by Israel or the Board of Peace. The diplomat involved stated that the road map under discussion would see authority gradually transferred to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, adhering to the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon.”
This plan includes dismantling tunnels, arms stockpiles, and weapon production facilities, aiming to ensure that by the end of the process there would be no remaining militant infrastructure in Gaza.
The roadmap is designed to rely on reciprocal steps rather than trust; however, the reality on the ground remains far from this vision. The Israeli military continues to expand its operations in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating that Israel plans to control 70% of the region.
Concerns persist regarding the availability of forces for an International Stabilization Force and the conditions under which Israeli troops might withdraw. Egyptian sources indicated that Hamas had agreed to several contentious points, including weapons transfer, while seeking changes in defining the infrastructure to be dismantled, suggesting further negotiations are still necessary.
Attacks continue
While the truce has curbed large-scale fighting, it has not completely halted the near-daily Israeli airstrikes. Health officials reported that recent strikes killed at least two children, a woman, and three men in Gaza, with the Israeli military asserting that they targeted Hamas militants.
The latest fatalities contribute to a toll exceeding 1,200 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, killed by Israeli actions since the ceasefire commenced, as per Gaza health officials. Meanwhile, four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza during the same period, although Hamas typically does not disclose its losses.
The situation continues to evolve, with significant implications for both regional security and humanitarian conditions. As dialogue persists around potential restructuring in Gaza, the path forward remains complex and fraught with challenges.
