Hamas has announced its willingness to begin disarming as part of a broader agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, a deal brokered by the United States and supported by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The agreement, initially unveiled by former U.S. President Donald Trump, envisions a phased process linking Hamas’s disarmament to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilization force, and the establishment of a new Palestinian administration in the territory.
According to Hamas officials, the group’s commitment to disarm relies on Israel fulfilling its obligations under the accord, including pulling back its military forces and allowing the creation of a technocratic Palestinian committee to administer Gaza. Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad emphasized that if Israel fails to implement its side of the deal, Hamas will not proceed with disarmament measures. This stance reflects ongoing mistrust between the parties.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas would first transfer weapons held by its police force to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. A subsequent and lengthier phase would address the decommissioning of heavier weapons, destruction of tunnels, and dismantling of infrastructure associated with Hamas’s military capabilities. This process, expected to take several months, would be supervised by international actors. Hamas representatives clarified that weapons would be collected and stored under Palestinian oversight and not surrendered to Israeli or external authorities.
Israel has yet to publicly accept the terms of the deal. Officials within the Israeli government have maintained that no withdrawal from Gaza will occur before Hamas is fully disarmed and the enclave is effectively demilitarized. Anonymous Israeli sources have stressed that military control over approximately 60 percent of Gaza remains necessary to ensure security. The timing of any Israeli troop pullback thus remains uncertain, especially in the context of upcoming national elections and political pressures faced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has reportedly faced criticism over security failures related to the October 2023 Hamas terror attack that precipitated the conflict.
Observers note that the deal represents a significant departure from Hamas’s longstanding position advocating armed resistance against Israel. Yet, skepticism remains about whether either side will make the initial moves needed to execute the phased agreement. Analysts point to Netanyahu’s reluctance to appear conciliatory ahead of elections and Hamas’s insistence that Israeli withdrawal be a prerequisite to disarmament as substantial obstacles.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with Egypt reportedly mediating ongoing discussions and preparing for future meetings to work through implementation issues. The envisioned international stabilization force, alongside a new Palestinian police body, is intended to oversee security during the transition, while reconstruction efforts in Gaza are seen as an integral component linked to the political settlement.
While the accord offers a potential roadmap toward ending hostilities in Gaza, its success hinges on mutual compliance, trust-building, and resolution of outstanding logistical and political challenges. Both parties remain cautious, with Israel demanding full demilitarization before withdrawal and Hamas requiring Israeli troop pullback before surrendering weapons, underscoring the delicate balance confronting peace efforts in the region.