Trump Claims Hamas Disarmament Deal Reached, Israel Expresses Skepticism

President Donald Trump has declared a “historic” agreement has been reached in Cairo aimed at the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. The announcement, made via social media, described the deal as a phased approach that would pave the way for lasting peace and security, with Gaza to be governed by a new Palestinian administration working with the “Board of Peace.”

However, sources close to Hamas have characterized the agreement as a draft, with one official stating that heavy weapons would only be stored under the control of a Palestinian body and would not be transferred to Israel. This official also emphasized that Hamas would not take any disarmament steps prior to an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

U.S. officials themselves expressed skepticism, with one noting that Israel is “very skeptical that Hamas will disarm.” The timeline for such a process also remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 200 to 320 days, though U.S. officials downplayed this figure.

Earlier reports indicated that Israel had rejected a proposal, with an unnamed Israeli official stating that the current document did not meet Israel’s demands for complete disarmament and demilitarization of the Strip as a precondition. These developments occurred amidst continued Israeli strikes in Gaza, which reportedly killed at least six Palestinians, including children, on Thursday.

The proposed plan, overseen by Trump’s “Board of Peace,” also includes provisions for rebuilding Gaza, a surge in humanitarian aid, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the deployment of an international security force. Despite these pronouncements, the reality on the ground remains complex, with Hamas seeking Israeli commitment to ending attacks and withdrawing forces. The exact handling of personal weapons and the acceptance of Hamas’s new stance by Israel are yet to be determined.