Trump says Hamas disarmament deal reached in Gaza

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the Peace Council had struck a historic agreement on the full disarmament of Hamas and all other armed factions in Gaza. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the deal a monumental step toward lasting peace and security, adding that disarmament would proceed in carefully structured phases.

Trump said that once disarmament is complete, Israeli forces would withdraw, and international stabilization forces would work with newly formed Palestinian police units to ensure Gaza is safe for its residents and neighbors. He also thanked mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

Senior Hamas officials indicated that the agreement reached with Israel covers the group's weapons and the gradual pullback of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel has not yet issued an official response. Trump's statement came after sources familiar with talks in Cairo told AFP that Hamas was moving toward a deal involving the handover of weapons.

The question of Hamas's disarmament had been one of the main obstacles to advancing the ceasefire that has been in place since October. Despite the truce, violence in Gaza has continued. At least four people, including two children, were killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Egypt's state news agency Al-Qahera News reported that Egypt would soon host a meeting of ceasefire mediators, including the United States, Qatar and Turkey, to discuss implementation of the second phase of the truce plan. Under Trump's 20-point peace plan, that phase would involve Hamas disarmament and a phased Israeli military withdrawal. The plan also envisions a Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, taking over governance during the transition.

Diplomatic sources said there would be no exceptions for certain weapons or individuals. A process would be established to eliminate all tunnels, weapons depots and any weapon production facilities. All arms, both heavy and light, would be placed under the full control of the Palestinian committee, in coordination with and with support from international stabilization forces, which are to include multinational troops operating under Trump's Peace Council.