Hamas Agrees to Disarm Under Trump-Backed Peace Plan; Israel Silent
Hamas has agreed to disarm under a new peace initiative spearheaded by former U.S. President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace,' a senior Hamas official confirmed to the BBC. The proposed roadmap would see the Palestinian militant group relinquish its weapons and transfer governance of Gaza to an apolitical committee.
President Trump announced the agreement on his Truth Social platform, calling it a plan for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. He described the development as a “historic” agreement that would pave the way for Israel's eventual withdrawal from the territory and contribute to lasting peace and security.
Uncertainty Lingers Despite Breakthrough Claims
While President Trump and the Board of Peace have lauded the agreement as a critical step, responses from Israeli and Hamas officials suggest that significant obstacles and disagreements may still remain, according to The Guardian. Israel has maintained official silence regarding the announced deal, a lack of comment noted by multiple outlets including the BBC and UPI.
"If the Hamas disarmament plan holds, it could mark the first credible step to ending the Gaza war."
If successfully implemented, the disarmament of Hamas could remove a substantial impediment to advancing the Trump-backed peace initiative in Gaza, potentially leading to the rebuilding of the Strip. However, news agencies like the Associated Press and NBC News have highlighted the many hurdles and uncertainties that persist.
Details of the Proposed Agreement
The reported agreement outlines a process where Hamas would hand over its weapons and transfer the administration of Gaza to an apolitical committee. In return for Hamas’s disarmament, the plan proposes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, as reported by France 24. This framework aims to facilitate a transition in Gaza, allowing for its reconstruction.
Expert Skepticism Amid Regional Tensions
Despite the high-profile announcement, experts have expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of Hamas disarming. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that some experts find it difficult to believe Hamas would relinquish its military capabilities. The announcement also comes amidst broader regional tensions, including reports from The Guardian of Iran launching drone strikes at Kuwait in retaliation for recent U.S. attacks, underscoring the volatile environment in which this peace initiative is being proposed.
