Hamas agrees to disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in US-brokered deal
Hamas has reportedly accepted a deal for its disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, according to two senior Hamas officials who spoke anonymously to AFP. Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas negotiator, stated the group is making concessions to protect its people from death and displacement, with Israel not interfering in the disarmament process. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will oversee the handover of weapons, and Hamas expects mediators and the Peace Council to ensure Israel's compliance.
Former US President Donald Trump announced the "historic deal" on his social media platform, calling it a "monumental step towards lasting peace and security." The Peace Council, established by Trump, confirmed Hamas's acceptance of a detailed roadmap for the next phases of a Gaza ceasefire, with attention now shifting to implementation. The NCAG will soon begin a gradual transition to full authority. Trump indicated that following Hamas's disarmament, Israeli forces would withdraw, and an International Stabilization Force, composed of troops from various countries under the Peace Council's direction, would work with a new Palestinian police force to manage Gaza.
Weeks of negotiations in Egypt aimed to finalize the second phase of a ceasefire agreement to end the war. Hamas's disarmament, a key obstacle since the group has controlled Gaza since 2007, is seen by Trump as crucial for establishing a new Palestinian government. Israel had demanded complete demilitarization before any progress. However, an Israeli political source told AFP that the proposed deal does not satisfactorily address Israel's demands for full demilitarization and was not discussed during Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This reported agreement signifies a potential shift in the Gaza conflict dynamics, driven by external mediation and a focus on phased implementation. The emphasis on disarmament and withdrawal, overseen by international and newly formed Palestinian bodies, suggests an attempt to establish a new governance framework. The involvement of former President Trump and the creation of the Peace Council highlight a US-led initiative aiming for regional stability. However, the reported Israeli reservations regarding the comprehensiveness of the demilitarization aspect indicate potential challenges in full consensus and execution. Future developments will likely hinge on the practicalities of disarmament, the effectiveness of the NCAG and the International Stabilization Force, and the ability to bridge the gap between stated intentions and the detailed security demands of all parties involved, particularly in the context of long-standing geopolitical complexities.
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