Trump Claims Hamas Deal on Phased Gaza Disarmament

President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that his U.S.-led Board of Peace has secured an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. The president described the development as a monumental step toward lasting peace and security in the territory.

According to the statement posted on Truth Social, the plan calls for phased surrender of weapons by Hamas, followed by an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as disarmament is verified. An International Stabilization Force would then work alongside a new Palestinian police force to maintain order. Trump credited mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for helping finalize the roadmap as part of his broader 20-point peace initiative.

Hamas officials quickly clarified their position. A senior member of the group told Reuters that any disarmament would only proceed once Israel halts its attacks, increases the flow of aid, and completes its own withdrawals under the earlier ceasefire framework. The group has accused Israel of more than 3,500 violations since the October 2025 ceasefire took effect, including continued restrictions on humanitarian supplies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet issued a public response to the latest proposal. Past rounds of negotiations have stalled over sequencing, with each side insisting the other move first. Since the ceasefire was signed, Palestinian health authorities report more than 1,100 deaths from Israeli strikes inside Gaza.

The Board of Peace, which includes oversight from figures such as Tony Blair, was established to manage the second phase of the original Trump-brokered deal. That phase focuses on demilitarization, reconstruction, and a new governing structure for the strip. Trump has presented the current announcement as the key to ending Hamas control and preventing Gaza from serving as a launchpad for attacks on Israel.

Skepticism remains widespread. Multiple prior announcements of breakthroughs have produced limited results on the ground, with fighting and restrictions persisting despite formal agreements. Observers note that Hamas has never previously agreed to full disarmament, and verification of weapons surrender across tunnels and depots would require extensive on-site monitoring that has proved difficult in previous efforts.

The plan envisions a six-to-eight-month timeline for handing over heavy and light arms, with Israeli forces pulling back only after independent confirmation of demilitarized zones. Egypt is expected to host follow-up talks among the mediators to lock down compliance mechanisms.

Whether this latest framework advances beyond the announcement stage will depend on whether both parties accept the order of steps and whether outside pressure can enforce them. The announcement comes as Trump seeks concrete foreign policy wins ahead of the midterms, yet the same core obstacles that blocked progress for months continue to stand in the way.