A newly announced agreement involving Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups outlines a phased plan for the disarmament of these groups in the Gaza Strip, conditional on an Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave, according to U.S. officials. The announcement followed months of diplomacy among the United States, Israel, Hamas, and regional mediators, overseen by the Board of Peace, a body established by U.S. President Donald Trump to guide Gaza’s political and security transition.

Officials described the accord as the beginning of an indefinite, multi-stage process aimed at ending Hamas’s rule in Gaza and rebuilding the territory. The plan includes the decommissioning of weapons, dismantling of tunnels and weapons depots, and a transfer of governance from Hamas to a technocratic Palestinian committee, although many challenges remain regarding verification, sequencing, and political consensus.

President Trump characterized the development as a “historic” and “monumental” step toward peace and security, emphasizing the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. However, Hamas negotiators offered more cautious interpretations. Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’s negotiation team, clarified that the group agreed to place weapons in storage overseen by a national committee but did not explicitly consent to full disarmament or Israeli involvement. Hamas conditioned its compliance on the cessation of Israeli military operations and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.

Differing interpretations also appeared in statements from Egypt, which hosted recent talks. Cairo referenced Hamas’s agreement to a road map and plans for further discussions on implementation but did not explicitly confirm Hamas’s consent to disarm. Israel had not issued an immediate response to the announcement.

The roadmap, developed following a peace deal in October 2023 backed by the United Nations, stipulates a sequence of phases requiring independent verification before progressing. These phases include relinquishing governmental authority by Hamas, transferring weapons from Gaza’s police to a new security body, decommissioning heavy arms, and eventually disarming militants and destroying tunnels. Hamas has reportedly agreed to surrender heavy weapons such as rockets and explosives but insists on retaining small arms for internal security, a point of contention with Israel, which argues that partial disarmament leaves Hamas armed.

The plan also envisions an international stabilization force working alongside a revamped Palestinian police force to maintain security during the transition. Indonesia had previously pledged up to 8,000 troops for such a force but recently paused any participation amid ongoing regional tensions, with its foreign ministry citing the fluid security situation.

Analysts point to significant obstacles ahead. The timing faces political difficulties for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with an election looming and likely resistance to concessions to Hamas. A core issue is the sequencing of disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals, with Hamas refusing to disarm before Israeli forces pull back, while Israel demands the opposite.

Verification mechanisms for ensuring the complete surrender of weapons remain uncertain, as does the composition of the new Palestinian technocratic authority and the international force’s membership. The new Palestinian police force is expected to exclude Hamas members to ensure neutrality.

Despite unresolved uncertainties and risks of derailment, experts view the agreement as the first detailed roadmap to disarm Hamas. Without progress on disarmament, Gaza’s reconstruction faces serious hurdles, and Hamas’s continued control could perpetuate hardship for the enclave’s residents. Success will require sustained pressure and commitment from all parties involved to achieve a lasting peace in Gaza and enhanced security for Israel.