Months after originally announcing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas mediated by the US, US President Donald Trump on Thursday revealed what he called a historic accord to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and all other armed factions in Gaza.
Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, "Today, the Board of Peace reached an HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza." "This is a significant step toward long-term security and peace."
Hamas had not yet verified the agreement as of Thursday night. CNN has made a request for comment.
Another militant organization in Gaza, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, declared early on Friday that the accord was "inaccurate." Along with Hamas, the group was a party to the truce.
Hamas and other armed groups would eventually turn over their weapons to the committee, with police firearms going to the committee first and personal weapons last, according to a Board of Peace official.
Although Hamas did not formally react to Trump's announcement, senior official Ghazi Hamad described the agreement as a "concession for the Palestinian people" in an interview with Al Jazeera. However, he stated that the organization would not turn over its weapons until Israel fulfilled its end of the bargain, which includes removing its troops from the enclave.
"We won't implement if Israel doesn't," he declared.
Additionally, Hamad emphasized that Israel "will not be part" of the process and that weaponry will be turned over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a group suggested by the Board of Peace to manage Gaza following Hamas's surrender.
In order to carry out Trump's multi-phase peace plan to put an end to the conflict in Gaza and move toward establishing a technocratic administration for the strip, disarming Hamas is a crucial first step. For months, mediators have been attempting to discuss the plan's implementation with Hamas, but there is doubt in the area that Hamas would fulfill its obligations.
The transitional authority assumes control if this is put into practice and demilitarized weapons are turned over. The official stated, "When Hamas withdraws from governance and government, all of these actions actually rekindle the possibility of a political future for the Palestinian people."
Experts say that while the US-brokered ceasefire proposal faltered, Hamas' announcement earlier this month that it would dissolve its administration in Gaza placed pressure on Israel. Disarmament was not mentioned in their announcement regarding the move.
Washington worked with Israel "every step of the way" for this disarmament pact, according to a US source, who later acknowledged that Israel is still doubtful that Hamas will disarm while claiming that "this isn't really a trust deal."
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has been contacted by CNN for comment.
"A negotiation carried out above our heads"
The topic of Gaza was not discussed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Trump at the White House this week, an Israeli official told CNN on Thursday.
According to the official, prior to Trump's decision on Friday, Israel was insisting that any process be preceded by Hamas's full disarmament, which includes removing all weapons from Gaza and demilitarizing the entire strip. According to the insider, a supposed 15-point paper that is now being discussed does not adequately address these needs.
The Israeli government has not made an official statement regarding the agreement, but Israeli minister Orit Strouk, who is a member of the Religious Zionist party led by far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich, vehemently denounced Trump's declared agreement on Friday.
"This negotiation was carried out over our heads, completely at odds with our stance, and it is being signed in an odd ceremony with the expectation that it will also bind us. "Well, not at all," Strouk, the minister of settlements, posted on Facebook.
On the other hand, the Board of Peace portrayed the deal as a historic breakthrough that would provide Israelis with security and the Palestinians in Gaza with a better future.
For the first time, Hamas has formally agreed to a workable plan for giving up all of its weapons, which will be followed by an Israeli departure from Gaza. Following Trump's decision, the Board of Peace said on X that "it holds the promise of delivering significant benefits to the people of Gaza, who have waited for too long for a better future, and security to the people of Israel."
According to Trump, the deal would guarantee that "Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks" and open the door for "a new Palestinian government" to rule Gaza in conjunction with his Board of Peace.
The US president said that the deal would be carried out gradually. He claimed that after armed organizations are disarmed, Israeli soldiers would leave Gaza and security will be taken over by an International Stabilization Force, which will collaborate with a new Palestinian police force.
Although they cautioned that it is still "a conditions-based deal," US and Board of Peace officials on Thursday described the agreement as the outcome of months of "very delicate negotiations" that resulted in a "breakthrough," where there is an understanding of "what needs to be done."
In his message, Trump expressed gratitude to his administration and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their assistance in mediating the deal.
Trump wrote, "Under this agreement, Gaza will finally be in the hands of a new Palestinian government that serves its PEOPLE! The threat that emerged from Gaza on October 7 will NOT be allowed to rebuild!"
"CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ON THIS AMAZING DEVELOPMENT, THAT EVERYONE SAID COULD NEVER BE ACHIEVED!" Trump said in closing.
Implementation will take time, according to officials, who also stated that changes between phases won't happen until "verified completion of the previous" has been certified by an implementation verification committee. Detailed conditions are anticipated to be published within two weeks.
