Hamas has agreed to disarm and hand over its weapons as part of a historic and unprecedented deal aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza. The agreement includes the transfer of arms, maps of tunnel networks, weapons depots, and underground missile factories to a committee of Palestinian technocrats established under former President Donald Trump’s peace plan. This committee will oversee the destruction of these military assets and the establishment of a new Palestinian police force, supported by international peacekeepers. In return, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from their current positions in Gaza.
Despite the breakthrough, significant disagreements remain over the sequencing of these steps, highlighting the deep mistrust between the two parties. Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas negotiator, emphasized that the militant group’s disarmament would only occur after Israel fulfills its obligations under the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement made last year. According to Hamad, Israel must cease attacks in Gaza, retreat to positions held as of October, and increase the supply of goods and humanitarian aid before Hamas will relinquish its weapons.
In contrast, Israeli officials have insisted that Hamas must disarm first before Israel reduces its military presence behind the so-called Yellow Line, which divides Gaza and Israeli-held territory. This divergence over the order of implementation risks complicating the peace process.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the agreement, but his office has expressed skepticism about the terms reached in Cairo. Netanyahu’s political allies have reacted sharply against the deal. Moshe Sa’ada, a member of the Knesset from Netanyahu’s Likud Party, stated that Gaza ultimately faces “no other option” than military rule and full occupation. Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also criticized the agreement before it was announced, asserting on social media that Israel’s only acceptable solution for Gaza involves encouraging emigration and dismantling Hamas.
A senior White House official cautioned that President Trump would be “very disappointed” if Netanyahu were to obstruct the Gaza peace deal. However, Netanyahu is preparing for tightly contested elections in October, and his handling of the agreement is expected to influence voter sentiment. Aligning with President Trump and opposing Hamas could prove pivotal for Netanyahu’s political future.
As of now, the ultimate success of the agreement and the potential for lasting peace hinge on whether both sides can overcome their mutual suspicions and coordinate the complex steps required for Gaza’s disarmament and Israel’s military withdrawal.