Trump Announces Deal for Hamas Disarmament in Gaza Amid Uncertainty

New Delhi, India Jul 31, 2026 ALN: President Donald Trump announced that a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. However, the announcement comes amid significant uncertainty as many hurdles, conditions, and long timelines remain to effectively wind down the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory. As of now, neither Hamas nor Israel has indicated that they have formally agreed to the terms outlined in the announcement.

This White House announcement follows a tumultuous period marked by nine months since a US-brokered ceasefire was signed. The negotiations between Israel and Hamas had largely stagnated over the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza, both critical issues that have historically been points of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his social media statement, Trump elaborated on the agreement, stating, “The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases.” He emphasized that as the disarmament process progresses, Israeli forces would begin to withdraw from Gaza. He also mentioned that an International Stabilization Force would collaborate with a newly established Palestinian police force to ensure the safety and security of Gaza's residents and its neighboring areas.

Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan is ambitious and calls for the Iran-backed militant group Hamas to surrender its weapons and dismantle its extensive network of tunnels, which have been used for military operations against Israel. The plan also envisions a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government, the deployment of an international security force, and a comprehensive rebuilding effort for the battered Palestinian enclave following more than two years of intense warfare.

However, the response from Hamas has been cautious. The group has insisted on implementing the first phase of the agreement, which includes assurances regarding its governance and control over Gaza, before moving on to discussions about its weaponry. This reluctance is rooted in Hamas's founding charter, which advocates for armed resistance against Israel and underscores the importance of its military capabilities, including rockets, anti-tank missiles, and explosives, as central to its identity and strategy.

Earlier this month, Hamas announced it had dissolved its government in Gaza and was preparing to transfer power to a technical committee backed by the United Nations, signaling a potential shift in governance as part of the ceasefire deal. This move could indicate a willingness to engage in a more collaborative approach to governance, albeit under conditions that still prioritize the group's military stance.

Officials from the United States and the Board of Peace, an international body established by Trump to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, have provided a remarkably optimistic assessment of the agreement. They described a scenario that aligns closely with the original proposals laid out by Trump and his aides when the Board of Peace was initially formed. However, specific timelines for the disarmament of Hamas or other militant factions operating in Gaza, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, remain elusive. Nevertheless, officials indicated that the Gaza police force would be expected to turn over certain weapons to the technocratic Gaza administration within the next two weeks.

It is important to note that the Gaza police force does not encompass the majority of Hamas militants, and the agreement does not initially include the surrender of heavy weaponry, which poses a significant challenge to the overall security situation. Instead, the surrender of heavy weapons and the decommissioning of Hamas tunnels and other military infrastructure are slated to occur later in a process that could extend between 200 and 350 days, according to a Board of Peace official. This protracted timeline raises questions about the feasibility of the disarmament process and the potential for further conflict during this interim period.

A US official reported that Israel, which has historically been skeptical about Hamas's willingness to disarm or relinquish control over Gaza, has been consulted at each stage of the negotiation process. However, the official clarified that Israel was not being asked to undertake any additional commitments beyond what it had already agreed to in Trump's 20-point plan, which primarily involves withdrawing its forces from Gaza and committing to an end to airstrikes in the territory.

As of now, Israel's UN Mission has refrained from providing immediate comments on the recent developments. The ongoing skepticism from Israel regarding Hamas's intentions complicates the situation, particularly as the official underscored that the Iranian government, a key supporter of Hamas, remains a wildcard in the unfolding scenario. Iran has reportedly advised Hamas members against accepting the deal, yet it is also constrained by its own conflicts, particularly with the United States, limiting its ability to provide robust support to Hamas at this critical juncture.

The backdrop to this current negotiation is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has escalated dramatically since the war began following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and saw around 251 individuals taken hostage. In retaliation, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza that has reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Palestinians, as stated by Gaza's Health Ministry. This staggering loss of life has contributed to a dire humanitarian situation, with many Palestinians now confined to makeshift tent camps and heavily damaged urban neighborhoods.

As Israel's military continues to control more than half of Gaza, the implications of the proposed ceasefire deal and the disarmament of Hamas will be closely monitored by both regional and international stakeholders. The successful implementation of the agreement could pave the way for a more stable and peaceful environment in Gaza, but significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the trust between the parties involved and the underlying issues that have fueled the conflict for decades. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining whether this deal can move beyond rhetoric to tangible results that benefit the people of Gaza and the broader region.