Trump announces agreement for full disarmament of Hamas in Gaza, Hamas confirms

Trump announces disarmament deal

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social late Thursday that his Peace Council, a body he established, had reached what he called a historic agreement for the full disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. The deal, part of the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan, envisions a gradual, verified process that would end with Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of an international stabilization force.

“Today, the Peace Council reached a historic agreement for the full disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step toward lasting peace and security.”

Trump described the agreement as a milestone in implementing his "20-Point Plan" and said it would pave the way for a new Palestinian government in Gaza working closely with the Peace Council. He thanked Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their mediation efforts.

The phased disarmament roadmap

According to a four-page document obtained by the BBC, the disarmament will proceed in stages under a "zero trust" principle: each step advances only after verification that both sides have met their commitments. The process begins with disarming smaller Palestinian factions, then moves to Hamas, which must dismantle its military infrastructure, including underground tunnels, weapons depots, and production facilities. US officials acknowledged this stage will require considerable time.

“Once disarmament is complete, Israeli forces will withdraw and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to guarantee security in Gaza for its residents and its neighbors.”

The roadmap culminates with full weapons control transferred to a transitional Palestinian authority backed by the International Stabilization Force, which will operate under the Peace Council's auspices. The force is still being formed and is expected to include troops from several countries.

Hamas confirms, Israel remains cautious

Two Hamas officials, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed that an agreement had been reached. A senior Hamas figure told the BBC the group had accepted the full disarmament plan and that an official announcement was expected soon. Earlier, a Hamas source told AFP there was "broad convergence" on several points, and that amendments to the US roadmap had been submitted to mediators, with Israel's response awaited.

Israel has not yet publicly endorsed the deal. Reports indicate it remains cautious about the terms, particularly the sequencing of disarmament and withdrawal. The Israeli military has not commented.

Mediators prepare Cairo meeting

Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, alongside the United States, have been mediating weeks-long negotiations in Egypt. Cairo expects to host a meeting of mediators "soon" to advance the second phase, according to Al Qahera News, a network with close ties to Egyptian state services. The meeting will focus on implementing the disarmament and reconstruction components of the US plan.

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10, 2025, after a war that began with the October 7 attack and caused what Trump described as a "violent war," a humanitarian crisis, and hostages held under difficult conditions. Trump stated that the threat from that day would not be allowed to reconstitute, and that "much work remains" despite what he called historic progress.

“The threat that emerged from Gaza on October 7 will not be allowed to reconstitute.”

The agreement, if fully implemented, would place Gaza under a new Palestinian government that, in Trump's words, "serves its people," and would end the use of the territory as a base for attacks against Israel.