Donald Trump has announced that a «historic agreement» has been reached under which Hamas will disarm in Gaza and Israeli forces will withdraw from the territory, paving the way for a new Palestinian government to be established.
The US president said the deal had been secured by the «Board of Peace», which he credited with brokering the arrangement. He described the agreement as historic and said it would allow a new Palestinian government to take shape after Israeli troops leave Gaza. The statement was presented as a major step towards peace in the Middle East.
A senior Hamas official has responded by saying that the group will only disarm if Israel fulfils its commitments. The official's comments made clear that the agreement is not unconditional and that its success depends on actions by Israel. The exact commitments the official was referring to were not explained in the announcement.
The announcement contained few details about the practical side of the deal. Trump did not say when Israeli forces would begin withdrawing, who would be responsible for collecting and destroying Hamas's weapons, or how long the process would take. He also did not explain how the new Palestinian government would be chosen or when it would take office.
The agreement, as described by Trump, would mark a significant shift in Gaza. The disarmament of Hamas would change the security situation in the territory, while the withdrawal of Israeli forces would hand responsibility for Gaza back to Palestinian hands. The creation of a new Palestinian government would represent a new phase in the administration of the enclave.
The role and composition of the Board of Peace were not set out in the president's statement. It is unclear whether the board is a new initiative or an existing group of mediators, and how it would oversee the implementation of the agreement. No confirmation from Israeli officials accompanied the announcement, and no independent verification of the deal was provided.
The Hamas official's response appeared to be the first direct reaction from the group to the announcement. By linking disarmament to Israel's commitments, Hamas left the agreement looking conditional. That condition could become a point of weakness during implementation, particularly if disagreements emerge over what Israel must do.
Taken together, the statements from Washington and from the Hamas official suggest that a framework may be taking shape, but the practical details have yet to be settled. Trump's announcement described the outcome in sweeping terms, while the Hamas official offered a more cautious message. The coming weeks are likely to show whether the agreement can move beyond declarations and produce real changes on the ground in Gaza.
