President Donald Trump announced on July 30 that a historic agreement has been reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following months of negotiations mediated in Cairo. The deal, which took about eight months to finalize, aims to end armed conflict in Gaza and establish a new governance framework under a Palestinian authority that would cooperate with the so-called Board of Peace.
According to Trump’s statement posted on social media, the agreement marks a significant milestone toward lasting peace and security in the region. It includes not only the disarmament of Hamas but also other armed factions in Gaza. The phased process is designed to gradually decommission weapons, destroy Hamas’ tunnel networks, and pave the way for Israeli withdrawal from the territory. An International Stabilization Force is expected to work alongside a new Palestinian police force to maintain security once disarmament is complete. Officials involved estimate the disarmament could take between 200 and 350 days.
The agreement is linked to a broader 20-point peace plan unveiled last September, with Hamas eligible for amnesty only upon full disarmament. U.S. and Board of Peace representatives stressed that Israel’s role in the process would be limited to endorsing this plan rather than taking active measures during the disarmament stages. A U.S. official cited Israeli skepticism about whether Hamas would follow through but expressed confidence based on the conditions-based nature of the deal.
Hamas has issued warnings that it will not disarm if Israel fails to meet its obligations or interferes with the process. Ghazi Hammad, a Hamas spokesman, stated that the group would not implement any part of the agreement unless Israeli forces withdrew accordingly, and emphasized that a national committee would oversee the disarmament internally without Israeli involvement.
There were reports that Iran attempted to influence Hamas against disarmament during negotiations. A U.S. official indicated that Iran’s support for Hamas has waned, leading Hamas to prioritize its own interests and those of Gazan residents over continued armed conflict.
Reactions to the announcement remain mixed, with Israeli officials reportedly dissatisfied with the terms and questioning the durability of the agreement. Some diplomats involved in the Cairo talks also expressed caution about whether a broader accord can be secured, emphasizing that the ultimate test will be Israel’s response and the implementation of the plan’s conditions.
At present, neither the Israeli Embassy in Washington nor Hamas have formally commented on the announcement. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the agreement translates into tangible progress toward peace and stability in Gaza.