Hamas Agrees to Disarm in Trump-Brokered Gaza Deal
Agreement aims for new Palestinian government, but conditions from militant group raise questions about implementation.
Callum Smith
Hamas has agreed to disarm following an agreement announced by Donald Trump, a move intended to pave the way for a new Palestinian government to assume control in Gaza.
The agreement mandates a new Palestinian government assume governance in Gaza after initial phases conclude. Trump extended gratitude to Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their crucial mediation efforts in brokering this complex deal.
This plan originates from a 20-point ceasefire proposal Trump announced in 2023. It links the peace process to an Israeli withdrawal structured 'in phases' towards a complete departure from the Palestinian enclave.
Trump first proposed the Board of Peace in September 2023, establishing its foundational concept. The initiative's founding Executive Board members, named in January 2024, include Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner.
The Board of Peace's charter restricts member states to three-year terms. Permanent membership requires a substantial contribution of $1 billion from each participating state.
This development follows Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That event claimed approximately 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians, and resulted in the abduction of roughly 251 hostages.
Israeli troops currently occupy 70% of Gaza, a significant military presence. The plan mandates this force will withdraw.
One year ago there was a violent raging war, humanitarian crisis and hostages kept in brutal captivity.
A new Palestinian police force and international peacekeepers are slated to replace Israeli forces. A temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) will deploy in the Gaza Strip to separate Israeli forces from NCAG-controlled areas.
The Gaza police force is due to hand over their service weapons within two weeks. Hundreds of new Palestinian police recruits have undergone training in Egypt and Jordan, preparing for their new roles.
Days before this report, Israeli troops killed Gaza North's police chief, Brigadier-General Abdel-Nasser al-Maqadma. He also served concurrently as the governor of northern Gaza.
The plan stipulates that disarmament will occur in a gradual, sequential, and time-bound manner. An implementation schedule will be prepared within 14 days.
The process involves inventorying and storing heavy weapons, military production sites, weapons depots, and tunnels. Underground tunnel networks, weapons stores, and manufacturing sites will be mapped and subsequently destroyed.
The National Committee, responsible for handling internal security incidents, has operated from Cairo. It has not yet entered Gaza.
The plan agrees to treat all public employees lawfully, fairly, and with dignity regarding their rights. An Israeli minister has already deemed the deal unacceptable, highlighting immediate political resistance.
Benjamin Netanyahu met Donald Trump on Wednesday but has issued no public statement regarding the deal. Israel faces a general election at the end of October 2024.
The US also has looming midterm elections in November 2024, injecting another layer of political urgency into the agreement's implementation. Figures gathered by ACLED, a group monitoring armed conflict, indicate 2026 is on track to become the most violent year in the West Bank since it began monitoring the territory a decade ago.
More than two million Palestinians are living in terrible conditions in Gaza. Trump described the progress as 'historic,' noting that 'one year ago there was a violent raging war, humanitarian crisis and hostages kept in brutal captivity.'
He concluded that while 'historic progress' has been made, 'there is still much work to do.'