US President on Thursday announced that an agreement had been reached for the “complete disarmament” of and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from , describing the deal as a key step towards setting up a new Palestinian government in Gaza.
The announcement comes nine months after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed. Notably, talks between Israel and Hamas had remained stalled over the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire, particularly the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Inside the Israel-Hamas peace deal
- Trump’s 20-point ceasefire proposal requires Hamas to hand over its weapons and dismantle its extensive tunnel network.
- The plan also includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the formation of a new technocratic Palestinian government, the deployment of an international security force, and the rebuilding of the war-hit Palestinian territory.
- Trump said the agreement would be implemented in stages. As Hamas completes its disarmament, Israeli forces will gradually leave Gaza, while an International Stabilisation Force, working alongside a new Palestinian police force, will assume responsibility for security for the people of Gaza and neighbouring areas.
Hamas ‘agreed’ to Trump’s proposal
Senior Hamas leaders told news agency AFP that the agreement had been finalised. They also said they expect the mediators and Trump’s Board of Peace to ensure that Israel follows the terms of the deal.
“An agreement has been reached regarding the issue of weapons… Furthermore, an agreement has been reached on a gradual withdrawal of (Israeli forces)” from the strip, a Hamas official was quoted as saying by the agency.
