Hamas official described deal as a draft, Israeli support for plan remains uncertain
US President Donald Trump said talks in Cairo between mediators and Hamas leaders on Thursday have led to a phased disarmament agreement in Gaza, but a Hamas official described the deal as a draft.
US officials said Israel was sceptical that the militant group would surrender its weapons.
A Hamas source told Reuters the “draft agreement” stipulates that heavy weapons would only be stored and kept under the control of a Palestinian administration, and the weapons cannot be transferred to Israel.
“We will not take any action regarding disarmament prior to Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip,” Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating team, told Al Jazeera.
A US official told reporters on Thursday that Israel is “very sceptical that Hamas will disarm”, according to Reuters.
Hamas says it is making ‘concessions’ to save Gaza civilians ‘from killing and displacement’
Hamas’ disarmament has been one of the key sticking points in the advancement of the ceasefire deal that has been in place between Israel and the group in Gaza since October.
Senior Hamas officials told AFP that the agreement reached with Israel includes provisions addressing the group’s weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
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”.
There was no immediate statement from Israel.
‘Board of Peace’ reaches Gaza disarmament deal: Trump
US President Donald Trump said on Friday his Board of Peace has reached an “historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza”.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump cast it as a “major milestone in the implementation of the Trump 20-Point Plan” to end Israel’s war in Gaza.
“As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors,” he added.
He also thanked mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
“This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people,” Trump said.
“At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves.”