In what is being hailed as a historic breakthrough in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Hamas has reportedly agreed to a comprehensive plan for complete disarmament. The agreement, brokered by the United States and the Board of Peace, marks a dramatic shift in the region’s dynamics and promises to advance the Gaza ceasefire that was initiated several months ago.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the development on Thursday, calling it a “monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.” According to the announcement, the disarmament will occur in carefully structured phases, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the establishment of a new administration in the war-torn enclave.
The Roadmap to Demilitarisation
For the first time, Hamas has officially committed to an actionable roadmap that requires the relinquishing of all its weapons, including heavy and light arms, as well as the destruction of its extensive tunnel network, weapons depots, and production facilities.
According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the agreement is strict and detailed, leaving no room for compromises. The process is based on reciprocity and independent verification rather than trust, ensuring that each step taken by one side enables the next move by the other.
Key elements of the disarmament plan include:
Phased Weapons Surrender: The Gaza police force is expected to turn over weapons to the new administration within the next two weeks.
Heavy Weapons and Infrastructure: The decommissioning of heavy weapons and the dismantling of tunnels and other infrastructure will follow in a process estimated to take between 200 and 350 days.
Verification Mechanisms: A rigorous verification committee will monitor compliance to ensure complete demilitarisation.
The Future Governance of Gaza
The disarmament of Hamas is a crucial component of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which aims to transition the territory out of war and establish a stable governance structure.
Once the disarmament is complete, the following changes are expected to take place:
Israeli Withdrawal: Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza, in accordance with the peace plan.
New Administration: A group of Palestinian technocrats, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), will assume day-to-day governance.
Security Forces: The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will work alongside a new Palestinian police force to maintain security and order.
“At the end of the process, Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza, openly or behind the scenes,” the Board of Peace stated, emphasising the principle of “one authority, one law, and one weapon.”
Reactions and Remaining Hurdles
While the announcement has been met with optimism, significant hurdles remain. Sources close to Hamas have indicated that they are still awaiting the Israeli response to recent amendments submitted to the mediators, suggesting that some details are still being negotiated.
Furthermore, Israeli officials have maintained a sceptical stance, demanding complete disarmament and demilitarisation as a non-negotiable precondition for any process. The U.S. has assured that Israel is not being asked to do anything beyond its initial commitments in the peace plan. Still, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the agreement can be successfully implemented.