HAMAS AGREES DISARMAMENT PLAN FOR GAZA, CONDITIONAL ON ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL

Hamas and other Palestinian factions have agreed to a document outlining a plan for disarmament in Gaza, according to reports published on 30 July 2026. The agreement stipulates that a precise disarmament roadmap must be prepared within 14 days, with possible extensions subject to approval by an international verification body. Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas's negotiating delegation, told Al Jazeera that the negotiations were "difficult and hard" but represented "the best possible formula that was achievable". United States President Donald Trump described the agreement as "a monumental step" towards peace and security.

However, Hamad stated that Hamas would not implement any part of the agreement if Israeli forces failed to fulfil their obligations. He said disarmament was conditional on Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and progress on reconstruction in the Palestinian territory. According to a Board of Peace official, Hamas and other armed factions would hand over weapons to a National Committee set to administer Gaza, with police weapons transferred first, followed by decommissioning of heavy weapons. All military activity in Gaza would have to stop under the plan, though implementation would take time. Israel has not yet commented on the agreement.

Trump framed the agreement as a success for the Board of Peace, the body established to oversee Gaza's governance. He stated the agreement was "a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government" and said Israel would "have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks". The agreement marks a significant development in efforts to establish a new political structure in Gaza following conflict in the territory.