Trump says Hamas agreed to next phase of Gaza peace deal, including disarmament, negotiated by "Board of Peace"
Key Points:
- President Trump announced a "historic agreement" with Hamas and his international "Board of Peace" for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, marking a potential major step toward lasting peace and security in the region.
- The plan involves phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza as disarmament proceeds, overseen by an International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force under a transitional authority called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
- Hamas has agreed to the final text of the peace plan through mediators, including weapon decommissioning and relinquishing governance roles, though the exact timetable and implementation details remain to be finalized in the coming weeks.
- Israeli officials have not publicly endorsed the plan; some remain skeptical, with Israeli Defense Minister Gideon Sa'ar calling Hamas' recent government dissolution a "trick," insisting that disarmament is a prerequisite for any troop withdrawal.
- The agreement builds on a 20-point peace proposal from last fall following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, aiming to end hostilities, release hostages, and establish stable governance in Gaza, but the roadmap is conditional and assumes mutual distrust between Israel and Hamas.