Trump Announces Historic Agreement for Full Hamas Disarmament in Gaza Conflict
US President Donald Trump declares milestone deal brokered with Hamas to end armed conflict and advance peace efforts in Gaza.
On July 20, US President Donald Trump announced a "historic agreement" regarding the complete disarmament of the radical Islamist group Hamas, describing it as a crucial step toward establishing a new Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip.
"Today, the Peace Council has reached a historic agreement for the full disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. This is a grand step towards lasting peace and security," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump expressed gratitude to mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for facilitating the deal. According to the President, the disarmament process will be implemented gradually.
Senior Hamas officials confirmed to AFP that the agreement with the United States had been reached. Israeli authorities, however, have yet to issue any comment on the development.
Background and Next Steps in Gaza Peace Process
Negotiations for the second phase of the US peace plan, which includes phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, have been ongoing in Egypt for several weeks. Beyond disarming Hamas, the plan envisions a technocratic Palestinian committee—established by the US Peace Council—to assume governance of the territory following cessation of hostilities.
Israel had previously stipulated Hamas disarmament as a prerequisite for de-escalation efforts.
"This is a grand step towards lasting peace and security," Trump stated, underscoring the significance of the agreement.
The roots of the conflict trace back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, involving a massive rocket barrage, incursions into Israeli territory, and the deadliest assault on Israeli civilians in its modern history—resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths. Hamas militants also abducted roughly 250 hostages, relocating them to Gaza. Some hostages have been released or exchanged; others have died.
In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and conducted extensive ground operations and aerial bombardments in Gaza. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, over 71,000 people have died during these hostilities. However, the ministry has not clarified the methodology of these casualty figures, including the proportion of militants among the dead or whether non-conflict-related deaths were included.
The unfolding ceasefire agreement and phased disarmament represent a pivotal moment in the volatile Gaza conflict, with significant implications for regional security and market stability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
