CAIRO – In a significant development amid ongoing conflict, Hamas announced on Friday that it has reached an agreement to disarm, a step that could potentially pave the way for an end to the war in Gaza. However, the implementation of this agreement is fraught with challenges and could take considerable time to realize.
The accord, which is contingent upon reciprocal concessions from Israel, includes calls for ending hostilities and withdrawing Israeli troops from Palestinian territory. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim confirmed the deal on social media platform X, while a regional official also shared insights with The Associated Press.
Notably, Israel has not publicly commented on the agreement, which was announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump just hours earlier. This development follows a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that was established nine months prior to curb hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire plan, consisting of 20 points, requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and dismantle its extensive network of tunnels. It also includes provisions for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government, and the introduction of an International Stabilization Force to oversee the security situation in the region.
Despite these ambitious plans, negotiations over the implementation of the ceasefire have largely stalled, with disarmament emerging as a principal sticking point. For Hamas, disarming represents a fundamental shift, as the group’s founding charter advocates for armed resistance against Israel, viewing its arsenal—comprising rockets, anti-tank missiles, and explosives—as central to its identity.
In a statement, Trump indicated that the disarmament process would unfold in carefully structured phases. “As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to ensure the safety of Gaza’s residents and its neighbors,” he stated.
The agreement, as verified by the Associated Press, outlines that all police weapons will be transferred to the U.S.-backed Palestinian technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, upon its entry into the enclave. However, the timeline for this transition remains uncertain, as it is contingent on various prerequisites.
Following the arrival of the Palestinian committee and the deployment of the International Stabilization Force, a process to decommission and secure heavy weapons and military production sites will commence. This process is linked to a phased Israeli withdrawal from areas under its control in Gaza, according to the terms of the agreement.
Israeli officials have expressed skepticism regarding the disarmament commitment, stating that no withdrawal from the approximately 60% of Gaza under Israeli control will occur until Hamas is disarmed and the region demilitarized. This perspective was shared on the condition of anonymity due to government protocol.
While Israel is not a signatory to the agreement, it has been closely involved in the negotiations, which involve several countries acting as guarantors—namely, the U.S., Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. A U.S. official noted that Israel’s involvement has been significant yet cautious, reflecting its deep-rooted skepticism regarding Hamas’s willingness to relinquish its arms.
As the situation evolves, it is estimated that the disarmament process for Hamas could take years. According to officials familiar with the negotiations, while Gaza’s police force may be prepared to surrender their arms, this does not encompass the broader array of Hamas militants or heavy weaponry.
The timeline for the surrender and decommissioning of heavy weapons and tunnels is projected to span 200 to 350 days, although this specific timeline was not disclosed in the agreement documentation. The officials indicated that Hamas and other factions have agreed to “collect and store” arms within Gaza under the supervision of the Palestinian technocratic committee, ensuring that these weapons do not fall into Israeli or non-Palestinian hands.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire. The war, which erupted following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, with Israel reporting around 1,200 fatalities and Gaza’s Health Ministry estimating over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, including women and children. The Ministry, which operates under Hamas, does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its casualty figures.
As the conflict continues, many Palestinians find themselves confined to makeshift tent camps and heavily damaged neighborhoods, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts.
As negotiations advance, the establishment of a new Palestinian government and the restoration of public institutions and services will be monumental tasks, requiring substantial international support and cooperation.
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Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Cooper from Phoenix, and Lee from Washington. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri in New York and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
