Hamas has agreed to a US-backed plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, including a process to hand over its weapons and pave the way for an Israeli military withdrawal, according to reports.
The development marks a major step in efforts to implement the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire. However, significant disagreements remain over how Hamas will surrender its weapons and when Israeli forces will pull back.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement after negotiations involving several parties. His plan calls for Hamas to complete its disarmament before Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza.
Israel has yet to formally endorse the latest announcement. However, an Israeli political source told AFP that Israeli forces would not withdraw from their current positions unless Hamas carries out a genuine disarmament process.
Hamas agrees to weapons handover
Hamas officials said a committee created under Trump’s proposed Gaza governance framework would supervise the storage and decommissioning of the group’s weapons.
The group also expects mediators and the proposed Board of Peace to ensure that Israel follows its commitments, including the gradual withdrawal of its forces from Gaza.
Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating team, said the group accepted concessions to protect Palestinians from further deaths and displacement.
He stressed that Hamas would not directly oversee the weapons process. Instead, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza would take responsibility.
Israel insists on full disarmament
Israel has consistently demanded the complete disarmament of Hamas as a condition for a broader military withdrawal from Gaza.
An Israeli political source reiterated that position after Hamas announced its acceptance of the roadmap.
The source said Israel would require the removal of weapons and the full demilitarisation of Gaza before moving forward with the next stage of the agreement.
Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, meanwhile, rejected the deal. He argued that allowing Hamas to retain weapons could create the conditions for another major attack.
Trump outlines next phase of Gaza plan
Trump said the proposed arrangement would trigger an Israeli withdrawal once Hamas disarms.
Under the plan, an International Stabilisation Force would work alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure Gaza and protect residents and neighbouring countries.
The Board of Peace also confirmed that Hamas had accepted a detailed roadmap for implementing the next stages of the ceasefire.
The organisation said the next phase would focus on implementation, while the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza would gradually assume greater authority.
Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, said negotiators spent months working on the agreement.
He warned, however, that implementation and verification would determine whether the plan succeeds.
EU warns of difficult implementation
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the agreement but cautioned that all parties must fully honour their commitments.
She identified verification of Hamas’ compliance as one of the major challenges ahead. She also stressed that Israel would eventually need to withdraw from Gaza under the proposed framework.
Meanwhile, violence has continued despite the ceasefire. Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes killed at least four people, including two children, on Thursday.
Egypt to host mediator talks
Egypt is expected to host a meeting involving key mediators to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire plan.
The talks will reportedly involve the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
A diplomatic source described the roadmap as a practical framework for dismantling weapons, eliminating tunnels and shutting down weapons production facilities.
The proposed process would also include a verification mechanism to monitor compliance by the parties.
However, Hamas has indicated that it still wants changes to parts of the roadmap.
A Hamas source familiar with the negotiations said the group had submitted amendments to mediators covering two provisions, including the section dealing with weapons.
What happens next?
The immediate challenge will be turning the agreement into a workable process.
Hamas must determine how it will surrender or decommission its weapons. Israel, meanwhile, faces pressure to commit to a phased withdrawal from Gaza.
The success of the arrangement will therefore depend on verification, enforcement and continued cooperation among Hamas, Israel and the international mediators.
The wider humanitarian and political situation in Gaza will also shape the next phase of the ceasefire.
For background on the humanitarian situation in Gaza: United Nations — Gaza situation
Key points
- Hamas has agreed to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire roadmap.
- The plan links Hamas disarmament to an Israeli military withdrawal.
- A proposed Palestinian committee would oversee the weapons process.
- Israel insists that Hamas must fully disarm before its forces withdraw.
- Egypt is expected to host further talks involving key mediators.
- Verification could prove critical to the success of the agreement.
