"Today, the Peace Council reached a historic agreement on the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step towards lasting peace and security," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday night.
According to the agreement, Hamas will be disarmed in several stages, with the weapons first being handed over to a so-called technocratic committee, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The agreement also means that Hamas and other militant groups will hand over power in Gaza. Hamas-controlled authorities will be transferred to a Palestinian governing body during a transitional period.
Israeli withdrawal
Hamas delegate Ghazi Hamad told the WSJ that the movement has agreed to hand over its weapons for storage at a facility run by a US-backed transitional government, but the handover is conditional on Israel ending its attacks and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"Israel will not interfere in the issue of disarmament. The National Committee (for the administration of Gaza) is the body that will take on the task," he said, according to AFP.
The Israeli government has yet to officially comment on the deal. Trump told reporters at Camp David on Friday that Israel is “very pleased” with an agreement under which Hamas will hand over its weapons.
But according to sources spoken to by the Jerusalem Post and AFP, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will not take place until Hamas is completely disarmed.
Welcome the agreement
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomes the agreement, saying it is “the only positive news in recent days” and that “fighting must stop on all fronts in the region.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is also positive about the agreement, but says that "much must fall into place" and that success is "dependent on wholehearted commitment from all parties."
The issue of disarmament has been relevant since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect last fall.
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Hamas was dissolving the body that had governed the Gaza Strip for almost two decades, which was said to be a first step towards allowing the technocratic committee to impose civilian rule in the area. Last year, the US presented a 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, divided into phases, in which the committee is included.
On October 10 last year, Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas entered into a broader ceasefire after two years of war.
Israel's ally, the United States, brokered the deal in consultation with leading countries from the Arab and Muslim world.
The deal was presented as a comprehensive peace plan with two initial phases. The “peace council” led by Donald Trump has been given a UN mandate to lead an international force in Gaza for two years.
Phase one in brief: Fighting ceases, Israeli forces withdraw behind a temporary border, more aid shipments to Gaza, Hamas releases all hostages and remains, Israel releases Palestinian prisoners.
Phase two in brief: A new government for Gaza takes shape under Trump's advice, Hamas is disarmed, Israeli forces continue to withdraw from Gaza, border crossings open, reconstruction of the area begins.
