Hamas and other Palestinian factions have agreed to a document setting out a plan for their disarmament in Gaza, in what United States President Donald Trump has called “a monumental step” towards peace and security.
The Thursday’s agreement stipulates that the precise disarmament roadmap must be prepared within 14 days, with possible extensions subject to the approval of an international verification body, and the agreement of all parties.
The terror group made the announcement on Friday, saying its weapons would be handed over to a Palestinian governing committee established under the proposed arrangement.
However, Israel had not officially responded to the development.
Disarmament has remained one of the most contentious issues since a ceasefire came into effect in October.
Trump on Thursday revealed that Hamas had agreed to “complete disarmament,” describing the move as a major milestone toward establishing a new Palestinian administration in Gaza.
According to Hamas officials, the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG), operating under Trump’s Board of Peace initiative, will supervise the collection and storage of the group’s weapons.
Hamas also expressed confidence that international mediators and the Board of Peace would ensure Israel fulfils its obligations under the agreement, including a phased military withdrawal from Gaza.
Ghazi Hamad, a member of the group’s negotiating team, said the movement was making “concessions for the sake of our people in the Gaza Strip, to save them from killing and displacement”.
“Israel will not intervene in the issue of disarmament. The National Committee is the body that will undertake this task,” he said, referring to the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Despite the existing ceasefire, hostilities have persisted. Health authorities in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes on Thursday claimed the lives of at least four people, including two children.
The Board of Peace also confirmed the agreement in a post on X, stating that Hamas had “agreed to a detailed Roadmap for implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire.
“Our focus now turns to implementation,” the organisation said, adding that the NCAG would “soon begin a phased transition toward full authority”.
