Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the ongoing disarmament process under the Gaza Peace Plan, which is set to commence on July 31, 2026. He described the move as an important beginning towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Sharif stressed that Pakistan has always supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and that they favor a sovereign state based on the pre- 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital.
Peace plan and Hamas’s stance
US President Donald Trump recently announced an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Under this agreement, Hamas has agreed to the next phases of the ceasefire. However, Hamas officials say the surrender of heavy weapons will be contingent on Israel completely halting its attacks and withdrawing its troops. Furthermore, Hamas is linking this agreement to the formation of a Palestinian state.
Ground realities and the path to peace
Israeli officials have expressed doubts about Hamas’s intentions and have clarified that they will not withdraw their forces from Gaza until the process of handing over weapons is verified. This peace plan will be implemented in phases under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) . The plan includes the creation of a new administrative system in Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. However, despite this announcement, attacks in Gaza on July 31st killed one Palestinian and injured several others, highlighting the fragility of the situation in the region.