Kathmandu: U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the Palestinian armed group Hamas has agreed to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza. However, Hamas insists that no final agreement on disarmament has been reached, saying Israel must first halt its military operations and withdraw its forces from Gaza before any such process can move forward.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Thursday, Trump described the reported agreement as a “historic breakthrough” toward the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups operating in Gaza.
He said that once the disarmament process is completed, a new Palestinian administration would govern Gaza while Israel’s security concerns would be addressed.
According to U.S.-based news outlet Axios, months of negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye have resulted in Hamas accepting parts of a proposed framework. Under the proposal, Hamas would step aside from governing Gaza, with a new technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), assuming administrative responsibility.
The proposal reportedly outlines a phased disarmament process that could take approximately nine months. During that period, Hamas fighters would gradually surrender weapons, dismantle underground tunnels and weapons production facilities, with the entire process monitored by international observers.
Axios also reported that Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza, while an international stabilization force would assist the new Palestinian administration with security and police training.
However, Al Jazeera reported that Hamas has not agreed to immediate disarmament. The group maintains that it will not surrender its weapons until Israel completely withdraws from Gaza, ends its military offensive, and allows unrestricted humanitarian aid into the territory.
Hamas negotiation team member Ghazi Hamad said discussions were progressing but stressed that there was no final agreement on handing over weapons.
“We have not agreed to full disarmament or the surrender of our weapons. Discussions are only focused on the future administration of Gaza,” Hamad was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has also questioned reports suggesting that a final agreement has been reached.
The Israeli government has not issued any official response to Trump’s claims or the reported proposal.
With conflicting statements from the United States, Hamas, and other Palestinian groups, uncertainty continues over whether the proposed agreement will ultimately pave the way for a lasting peace in Gaza.
