Trump announces Gaza deal: 'We are going to disarm Hamas'

Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached regarding the disarming of Hamas in Gaza, marking a “historic step toward lasting peace.” The deal, based on a 15-point plan proposed by the Board of Peace, calls for Hamas to dismantle its weapons while Israel withdraws from the territory. However, the agreement lacks clarity on key details and does not guarantee the commitment of either side to fully implement the terms. The agreement was presented by Trump during a cabinet meeting held at Camp David, where he expressed optimism about its reception among Israeli officials. He stated that the plan “pleases Israel greatly” and that American support has helped advance the process. Despite this, Trump avoided specifying which action should come first, whether Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza or Hamas’s disarmament. This ambiguity represents one of the most critical unresolved issues within the agreement, with the potential to derail the entire initiative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, though his national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, criticized the agreement as an “unacceptable draft.” Meanwhile, European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas described the plan as “constructive,” but emphasized that many issues remain unaddressed, making its success uncertain. She noted that the agreement must resolve multiple challenges before it can lead to sustainable peace. According to the 15-point plan, Hamas will begin disarming starting with police weapons, with personal arms being the last to be handed over. The process is estimated to take between 200 and 350 days. The agreement also outlines the establishment of a new Palestinian administration in Gaza under the National Authority for Administration, which would operate independently and enforce a single authority, law, and armed force. Trump praised the arrangement, calling it a positive development amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Despite the announcement, some details remain unclear. Hamas has made it evident that the disarmament process is conditional upon Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and the creation of a Palestinian state. Additionally, there are concerns about whether Hamas will genuinely relinquish all its weapons or merely comply with superficial measures. The Israeli government has not confirmed its willingness to meet these conditions, leaving the agreement vulnerable to political maneuvering. American officials have warned that Trump could feel “very disappointed” if Israel fails to cooperate with the peace plan. The agreement is expected to be signed in the coming week in Cairo, following a summit on the “second phase” of the ceasefire. Once signed, a 14-day period will be allocated for defining the implementation schedule. During this time, international observers and peacekeepers will monitor the progress of both sides. Public approval of Trump remains low, with recent polls showing his approval rating at just 32%. Six out of ten Americans oppose military action against Iran, highlighting the broader geopolitical challenges facing the United States. As the agreement moves forward, the success of the plan will depend heavily on the cooperation of both Hamas and Israel, as well as the role of international actors in ensuring compliance.