U.S. President Donald Trump claims a historic agreement for Hamas disarmament has been reached during Cairo talks, but Israeli officials express skepticism about the terms.
Washington DC, United States Jul 31, 2026 ALN: President Donald Trump said Thursday that talks in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders have led to a “HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas” in what he described as structured phases. The announcement marks a significant development in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly concerning the governance of Gaza, which has been a flashpoint for violence and instability in the region.
Sources close to the talks indicated that while progress was made, the durability of the agreement remains uncertain. An Israeli official stated that the proposed terms were unsatisfactory, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in negotiations involving multiple stakeholders. “This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people,” Trump emphasized in a social media post. He further stated that the agreement would ensure Israel receives the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer serving as a base for terror attacks.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington and Hamas did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Trump’s announcement. This lack of immediate feedback underscores the ongoing tensions and the cautious approach both sides are taking towards the agreement. Earlier on the same day, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, which further complicates the situation and raises questions about the feasibility of a lasting peace agreement.
A Hamas official and a diplomat involved in the Cairo talks noted that the progress made would be tested by Israel’s response and whether it would permit a broader accord to be established. However, the Israeli official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed that Israel had rejected the proposal on the table. “Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of weapons from Gaza and the complete demilitarization of the Strip as a precondition for any process,” the official stated. “The 15-point document in question does not provide a satisfactory response to these demands, and Israel conveyed its objections.”
Negotiations between Hamas leaders and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are ongoing, focusing on the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, which is overseen by his Board of Peace. The situation has been characterized by a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing a framework for peace, but achieving consensus among the involved parties has proven to be a significant hurdle. Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Anna Evstigneeva, informed the Security Council that a road map prepared by Trump’s Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, has yet to gain support from both Israel and Hamas, primarily due to the contentious issue of Gaza’s demilitarization.
The Board of Peace has not commented on the Cairo talks, which reflects the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Despite the challenges, a diplomat involved in the discussions indicated that there has been progress towards a road map that would involve decommissioning all heavy and light weapons in Gaza. The proposed plan includes a surge in humanitarian aid, governance by a civilian Palestinian administration, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the deployment of an international force to help maintain security. However, previous efforts to achieve these objectives have stalled over the past months, raising concerns about the potential for a sustainable resolution.
On Thursday, a Hamas official indicated that the group was prepared to provide a “positive and good” response to the negotiations but did not clarify whether it had agreed to fully disarm—a key sticking point that has persisted throughout the talks. Hamas has expressed a desire for Israel to commit to ending attacks on Gaza and withdrawing its forces, which are critical demands for the group as it navigates the complexities of the negotiations.
Sources close to Hamas revealed that the group is willing to “confine and store” heavy weapons under a Palestinian authority rather than hand them over to Israel, which raises further questions about the viability of the proposed agreement. The status of light or personal weapons remains unclear, as does whether this new stance from Hamas will be acceptable to Israel or the Board of Peace.
The roadmap under discussion in Cairo aims to transfer authority in phases to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, adhering to the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon.” The plan includes the elimination of tunnels, arms stockpiles, and weapons production facilities, with the expectation that by the end of the process, no militant infrastructure will remain in Gaza. However, the diplomat involved in the talks emphasized that the roadmap is based on reciprocal steps rather than trust, which reflects the deep-seated mistrust that has characterized Israeli-Palestinian relations for decades.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the reality on the ground in Gaza remains starkly different from the envisioned roadmap. The Israeli military has continued to expand its military occupation of Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Israel intends to expand the area under its control to 70% of the enclave. This expansion raises concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region, as well as the implications for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In Cairo, two Egyptian sources reported that Hamas had agreed to several contentious points, including the handover of weapons, but had requested modifications regarding the definition of the infrastructure to be dismantled, indicating that further discussions are necessary before a comprehensive agreement can be reached.
While the truce has halted full-scale fighting, it has not put an end to the near-daily Israeli strikes in Gaza. Health officials reported that separate Israeli strikes on Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least two children, a woman, and three men, with the Israeli military asserting that the strikes targeted Hamas militants in the enclave. These latest casualties contribute to a staggering toll of more than 1,200 Palestinians, primarily civilians, killed by Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect, according to Gaza health officials. In contrast, four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza since the ceasefire, highlighting the ongoing cycle of violence that continues to plague the region.
Hamas typically does not disclose its losses, which complicates the understanding of the full impact of the conflict on both sides. As the situation evolves, the international community remains watchful, recognizing that the path to peace in the region is fraught with challenges, and the success of the current negotiations will depend on the willingness of all parties to compromise and work towards a sustainable resolution.
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