Trump Announces Deal for Hamas Disarmament and Israeli Withdrawal

In Gaza City, residents sift through the ruins of buildings and tents following an Israeli airstrike on July 30, 2026. While these scenes unfold, a significant announcement comes from Washington. President Donald Trump declared that a deal has been made for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. Despite this announcement, skepticism remains as both Hamas and Israel have not confirmed their agreement.

The U.S. brokers had signed a ceasefire nine months prior. Efforts to move forward have been stalled due to challenges in implementing the second phase. This involves Hamas disarming and the reconstruction of Gaza. “The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases,” Trump communicated through social media. “As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw. The International Stabilization Force will collaborate with a new Palestinian police force to ensure Gaza’s safety.”

Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan outlines that Hamas should give up its weapons and dismantle its network of tunnels. It also anticipates Israeli forces leaving Gaza, a new technocratic Palestinian government taking over, the deployment of an international security force, and rebuilding efforts in the Palestinian area.

The U.S. and Israel recently engaged in military actions against Iran, a key ally of Hamas. The White House is optimistic about reaching an agreement, yet timelines for disarming Hamas are unspecified. A U.S. official mentioned that the Gaza police would hand over weapons to a Board of Peace-guided administration within two weeks. However, this excludes most Hamas militants and heavy weaponry, which require decommissioning in a longer process estimated to take between 200 and 350 days.

Although Israel was updated on every negotiation step, they remain skeptical of Hamas’ commitment. Israel has not yet commented officially, though adherence to Trump’s plan is expected. Trump’s disappointment would be significant if Israel does not comply. In a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, discussions about the ongoing conflict with Iran were minimal.

Iran’s position complicates matters. Although reluctant to support Hamas publicly, they advised against accepting the deal. Yet, they have limited capacity to offer support due to their broader conflict with the U.S. Hamas has previously demanded the first phase of the ceasefire to be implemented before surrendering weapons. Despite its foundational focus on armed resistance, Hamas has begun dissolving its government in Gaza. They plan to transfer power to a UN-backed technical committee as part of the ceasefire.

The Gaza conflict erupted after an attack led by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault resulted in around 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages. In response, Israel’s counterattack in Gaza has led to over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, including those post-ceasefire, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Currently, Israel’s military controls more than half of Gaza’s territory, leaving residents in makeshift camps or demolished neighborhoods.