Trump Says Hamas Has Agreed to Disarm; Israel Objects
President Trump announced that Hamas had agreed to give up its weapons as the next phase of his plan to end the war in Gaza, hailing a “historic agreement” for the group’s complete disarmament. Israeli officials were sceptical, insisting Hamas must actually lay down its arms and that they could not accept a deal on the terms described. Mr Trump’s “Board of Peace” said the details of a timetable had still to be finalised.
The announcement, made on social media, marked the boldest claim yet of progress towards ending a war that has ground on for months, but it ran well ahead of events on the ground. Hamas has tied any surrender of its arms to a full Israeli withdrawal and the dismantling of Israeli-backed militias, conditions Israel rejects; Israel insists on demilitarisation before any pullout. Officials suggested a deal could take shape over the next month or two, though no firm timetable was set. Amid the diplomacy, Israeli strikes on Gaza continued, with Palestinian officials reporting children among the dead. Watch whether the claimed agreement survives contact with reality.