WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration’s Board of Peace has reached what he described as a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups operating in the Gaza Strip, marking what could become one of the most significant diplomatic developments in the region in decades.
According to Trump, senior Hamas officials have agreed to a phased plan that would ultimately require the terrorist organization to surrender all of its weapons, dismantle its military infrastructure, and transfer civilian governance to a new Palestinian administration. If fully implemented, it would represent the first time Hamas has formally agreed to completely disarm.
The agreement serves as the second phase of Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan, which has been under negotiation with mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. The roadmap outlines a multi-stage transition intended to end Hamas’ military control of Gaza while creating the framework for a new governing authority.
Under the proposed agreement, Hamas would first surrender weapons used by its police forces before moving to the verified destruction or decommissioning of heavy weapons, military depots, and its extensive tunnel network. As those benchmarks are independently verified, Israeli forces would begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza.
The proposal also calls for the deployment of an International Stabilization Force to help maintain security alongside a newly vetted Palestinian civilian police force. Civil administration would transition to a technocratic Palestinian government operating under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Despite the announcement, significant questions remain about whether the agreement will ultimately take effect.
Israel has not publicly endorsed the plan, and Israeli officials have previously expressed skepticism that Hamas would fully dismantle its military capabilities. Israeli leaders have repeatedly maintained that any long-term settlement must eliminate Hamas’ ability to rearm or continue operating behind a civilian government.
U.S. officials have also acknowledged that implementation would likely take many months and require extensive international verification. The phased approach is designed to tie each stage of Israeli withdrawal to confirmed disarmament milestones, leaving numerous logistical and political hurdles before the agreement could be fully realized.
The announcement comes after months of stalled negotiations over Gaza’s future and follows earlier efforts by the Trump administration’s Board of Peace to establish a post-war governing framework for the territory. While the reported agreement represents a diplomatic breakthrough, its ultimate success will depend on whether Hamas follows through with its commitments and whether Israel agrees to proceed with the corresponding withdrawal provisions.
