United States President Donald Trump assured this Thursday that the Peace Board for Gaza has reached an agreement that he called “historic” to achieve the total disarmament of Hamas. He made the announcement late in the day on his social networks, without official confirmation from either the Israeli government or the Palestinian militia. According to the Republican, the talks in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders have achieved this important step forward to bring peace to the Palestinian strip.
“This agreement is a crucial step for Gaza to finally be governed by a new Palestinian government that works closely with the Peace Board to help the Palestinian people,” the Republican said. “At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, without Gaza being used anymore as a base for terrorist attacks,” he added.
Trump pointed out that this pact is “an important milestone” in the implementation of his 20-point plan to bring peace to Gaza. He said it will be carried out in “carefully structured” phases. The idea outlined by the United States president is that as disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw from the Strip. “The International Stabilization Force will collaborate with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for ensuring the security of Gaza for its residents and neighbors,” he wrote.
Sources close to the negotiations told Reuters that progress had been made. But it is not certain that the agreement will hold, as an Israeli official had indicated that the proposed terms were unsatisfactory.
The U.S. administration detailed shortly after the announcement the roadmap for the “total disarmament” of the Palestinian militia, announced hours earlier by Trump, which includes the progressive elimination of the group’s military capabilities, the dismantling of tunnels and arsenals, and an international monitoring system during the process, reports Efe.
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The document states that the first condition to move forward will be a complete ceasefire and compliance with the obligations set out in the ceasefire agreement. From then on, the dismantling and storage of heavy weaponry, tunnels, and military production centers would begin, under the supervision of the National Commission for the Administration of Gaza and an International Verification Committee.
Qatari channel Al Jazeera reported this Friday that it has received a copy of the agreement which stipulates that disarmament must be prepared within 14 days, “with possible extensions subject to the approval of an international verification body and the agreement of all parties.” A spokesperson for the Palestinian militia has confirmed the agreement to this channel, and sources from the armed group have told the BBC that it has accepted the plan before the Peace Board. There has not yet been an official response from Israel.
Before the United States president made the announcement, Israeli attacks had killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, including two children, according to medical services. A Hamas official and a diplomat close to the Cairo talks indicated that progress would be tested based on Israel’s response and whether it allowed for a broad agreement to be reached.
However, an Israeli official, who asked to remain anonymous, added that Israel had rejected a proposal. “Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the withdrawal of weapons from Gaza and the total demilitarization of the Strip as a prerequisite for any process,” the official said. “The 15-point document in question does not offer a satisfactory response to these demands, and Israel has communicated its objections.”
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