President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that Hamas and his international Board of Peace have agreed on the next steps in a peace deal that includes the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. The announcement, made via a Truth Social post, was hailed by the president as a historic agreement and a monumental step toward lasting peace and security. However, Israel has not yet publicly commented, and many hurdles and uncertainties remain before any final resolution.

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In a late-evening post on his social media platform, President Trump declared that Hamas and his Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. He described the deal as a critical step toward Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that would work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people. At the same time, he said, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks.

The exact timetable for disarmament remains unclear. According to U.S. and Board of Peace officials, Hamas communicated through mediators that it agreed to the final text of the plan, including decommissioning its weapons. A senior Hamas official also confirmed to BBC News that Hamas has agreed to the plan for Gaza's disarmament. However, a member of the Hamas delegation told Al Jazeera that all implementation would be conditioned on Israel implementing its part of the deal.

Under the plan, Israeli forces would withdraw from parts of Gaza as disarmament is completed. An International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force would be responsible for security during the transition. The president emphasized that the agreement addresses one of the main sticking points for a broader peace deal in Gaza.

Why It Matters

This announcement represents a significant diplomatic development in the long-running conflict between Israel and Hamas. The war began with Hamas' terrorist attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and took roughly 250 hostages. Israel responded with an intense aerial and ground campaign in the Gaza Strip, where more than 73,000 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The proposed disarmament of Hamas has been a central demand for any lasting peace, and the plan's phased approach is designed to build trust and ensure security. The involvement of an International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force is intended to fill the security vacuum that could arise from an Israeli withdrawal. However, the lack of public confirmation from Israel and the conditional nature of Hamas' agreement underscore the fragility of the deal.

Political Context

The negotiations stem from a 20-point peace proposal that President Trump offered last fall to end the war. That framework called for the release of hostages, a pause in fighting, a ramp-up of aid distribution in Gaza, and eventually an Israeli withdrawal from the territory as Hamas disarms. The Board of Peace, an international organization created by Trump, has been tasked with resolving the conflict and other disputes.

The announcement comes amid a broader regional crisis, including an ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, which has dominated headlines. The Gaza deal, if successful, could reshape the geopolitical landscape and provide a rare diplomatic victory for the Trump administration. However, the lack of Israeli public comment and the complexity of implementation suggest that many obstacles remain.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

President Trump, in his Truth Social post, called the agreement historic and a monumental step toward lasting peace and security. He emphasized that the deal would lead to Gaza being governed by a new Palestinian government that would work closely with the Board of Peace. He also stated that Israel would have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks.

U.S. and Board of Peace officials told reporters that Hamas communicated through mediators its agreement to the final text of the plan, including decommissioning its weapons. A senior Hamas official confirmed to BBC News that Hamas has agreed to the plan for Gaza's disarmament. However, a member of the Hamas delegation told Al Jazeera that all implementation would be conditioned on Israel implementing its part of the deal.

Israel has not yet publicly commented on the announcement. The lack of an immediate response from Jerusalem is notable, given the high stakes and the history of failed negotiations. The Board of Peace lauded the agreement as historic, but the conditional nature of Hamas' acceptance and Israel's silence highlight the uncertainty.

Timeline

  • Oct. 7, 2023: Hamas attacks southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages.
  • Israel launches a massive military campaign in Gaza, resulting in more than 73,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
  • Fall 2025: President Trump offers a 20-point peace proposal to end the war, including hostage release, a pause in fighting, increased aid, and eventual Israeli withdrawal as Hamas disarms.
  • July 30, 2026: President Trump announces that Hamas and the Board of Peace have agreed on a phased disarmament plan, with Israeli withdrawal to follow as disarmament is completed.
  • July 31, 2026: The Board of Peace lauds the agreement as historic, but Israel has not yet publicly commented, and Hamas conditions implementation on Israel's compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace is an international organization created by President Trump, aimed at resolving the long-running war in Gaza and other conflicts. It has been instrumental in brokering the proposed disarmament deal.

What does the deal entail?

The deal outlines a phased disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. In return, Israeli forces would withdraw from parts of Gaza as disarmament is completed, with an International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force taking over security responsibilities.

Has Israel agreed to the deal?

Israel has not yet publicly commented on the announcement. The lack of an immediate response suggests that significant hurdles remain before the deal can be implemented.

What are the main obstacles?

The exact timetable for disarmament is unclear, and Hamas has conditioned implementation on Israel fulfilling its part of the deal. Israel's skepticism and the complex security arrangements pose additional challenges.

What happens next?

The coming days will likely see further negotiations and public statements from Israel and Hamas. The international community will be watching closely to see if the phased plan can be put into action, but many uncertainties remain.

What Happens Next

The announcement of a Hamas disarmament deal is a bold diplomatic move, but its success is far from guaranteed. Israel's silence and Hamas' conditional acceptance underscore the fragility of the agreement. The next steps will involve detailed negotiations on the timetable for disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, as well as the deployment of the International Stabilization Force. The world will be watching to see if this historic agreement can overcome the many hurdles that remain and bring a lasting peace to Gaza.