Hamas says it has agreed to disarm after Trump announces Board of Peace plan

Hamas to disarm after Trump Board of Peace plan after United States President Donald Trump announced that negotiators had reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. The breakthrough forms part of a broader ceasefire framework aimed at ending months of conflict, facilitating Israeli troop withdrawals and laying the foundation for Gaza’s reconstruction.

A senior Hamas official confirmed to the BBC that the group had agreed to the proposal developed by the Board of Peace, with an official statement expected to follow. Israel had not formally commented at the time of publication, although reports suggested it remained cautious about the proposed terms.

The announcement marks one of the most significant developments in the ongoing Israel Hamas conflict, raising hopes for a lasting ceasefire while leaving key implementation challenges unresolved.

Hamas disarmament agreement signals major breakthrough

The proposed Hamas disarmament agreement follows months of negotiations involving the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

According to the Board of Peace, the negotiations were conducted in “good faith” and have now entered the implementation phase. The agreement reportedly calls for Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza to surrender heavy weapons under Palestinian supervision.

US officials said the disarmament process would begin with smaller armed groups before extending to Hamas’ extensive military infrastructure, including tunnels, weapons depots and production facilities.

Officials acknowledged that dismantling these capabilities would likely take considerable time due to the complexity of Gaza’s underground military network.

Donald Trump Gaza peace plan enters second phase

Board of Peace Gaza to oversee implementation

The latest breakthrough forms part of the Donald Trump Gaza peace plan, commonly referred to as the Trump 20-Point Plan.

The initiative includes three major objectives:

Complete disarmament of Hamas.
Withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Reconstruction and long-term governance reforms.

President Trump described the agreement as a “critical step” toward creating conditions for a new Palestinian government capable of governing Gaza independently.

He also announced that an International Stabilization Force would work alongside a newly established Palestinian police service to maintain security after the disarmament process concludes.

The Board of Peace Gaza, created under the Trump initiative, will oversee implementation and coordinate funding for Gaza’s reconstruction.

Board of Peace Gaza expands international role

The Board of Peace Gaza was established in September last year as part of Trump’s broader Middle East peace initiative.

Founding members include:

United States
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

Although several countries, including the United Kingdom, France and China, have so far declined to join, citing legal and diplomatic concerns, the organisation has gradually expanded its mission beyond Gaza.

Its official platform now describes the Board as an international peace-building body capable of supporting conflict resolution in other regions.

Gaza ceasefire negotiations make rare progress

Mediators optimistic despite Israeli concerns

The latest Gaza ceasefire negotiations reportedly made significant progress during meetings held in Cairo between Hamas representatives and international mediators.

Reuters reported that discussions involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States achieved rare breakthroughs regarding implementation of the ceasefire framework.

However, Israeli officials reportedly remained dissatisfied with aspects of the proposal.

According to reports from Israeli media, government representatives argued that the current disarmament arrangements do not fully satisfy Israel’s security requirements.

Despite those concerns, US officials expressed confidence that Israel would ultimately honour commitments previously made under the Trump peace framework.

They emphasised that the agreement had been designed around strict verification mechanisms, ensuring that neither Hamas nor Israel advances to subsequent phases without fulfilling agreed obligations.

Verification central to Hamas disarmament agreement

Officials involved in the negotiations described the framework as being built on a “zero trust” model.

Every stage of the Hamas disarmament agreement will reportedly require independent verification before additional commitments are implemented.

Heavy weapons would first be catalogued and placed under Palestinian supervision before broader military infrastructure is dismantled.

US officials believe these safeguards reduce the likelihood of either side violating the agreement during implementation.

The phased approach is intended to build confidence gradually while reducing opportunities for renewed hostilities.

Public reaction remains cautious

Despite the announcement, many residents inside Gaza have reacted cautiously.

Years of failed peace initiatives have left many Palestinians sceptical about political agreements that promise lasting peace but fail to deliver meaningful improvements on the ground.

Since the ceasefire took effect last October, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 1,100 Palestinians have died in Israeli military operations.

Israeli authorities have also reported casualties among their security forces during attacks originating from Gaza.

For many civilians, immediate humanitarian relief and reconstruction remain higher priorities than political announcements.

Israel Hamas conflict continues to shape negotiations

The current Israel Hamas conflict began following Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign across Gaza.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict.

The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern over the humanitarian situation, while humanitarian agencies continue calling for greater protection of civilians.

The conflict has also triggered multiple international legal investigations and intensified diplomatic pressure on both Israel and Hamas.

Leadership changes inside Hamas

Earlier this month, Hamas appointed Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader following the death of Yahya Sinwar during an Israeli military operation in October 2024.

Hayya has played a central role in indirect ceasefire negotiations involving Egypt and Qatar.

Observers believe the leadership transition may have contributed to renewed momentum during recent Gaza ceasefire negotiations, although analysts caution that significant obstacles remain.

International legal scrutiny continues

The broader conflict continues to attract international legal attention.

In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif over alleged war crimes.

Israel rejected the allegations, while Hamas welcomed the court’s actions against Israeli leaders.

Meanwhile, a United Nations commission concluded in 2025 that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, an allegation Israel categorically denied.

These legal disputes continue to influence diplomatic discussions surrounding the future of Gaza and any long-term peace settlement.

Future of the Donald Trump Gaza peace plan

The announcement that Hamas to disarm after Trump Board of Peace plan represents one of the strongest signs yet that diplomatic negotiations could reshape the future of Gaza.

However, substantial challenges remain before the agreement can be fully implemented.

Israel must still formally approve the proposed withdrawal process, while Hamas must demonstrate that it is willing to surrender its military capabilities under international supervision.

If successfully implemented, the Donald Trump Gaza peace plan could pave the way for reconstruction, renewed governance and greater regional stability.

For now, international mediators continue working to bridge remaining differences as the Board of Peace Gaza prepares to oversee one of the most ambitious peace implementation efforts in the region’s recent history.

References

BBC News. (2026). Hamas agrees to Board of Peace plan for disarmament in Gaza. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news (Accessed: 31 July 2026).
Reuters. (2026). What is US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace? Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/what-is-us-president-donald-trumps-board-peace-2026-07-31/ (Accessed: 31 July 2026).
Reuters. (2026). Board of Peace envoy says Gaza plan needs quick progress, Hamas talks ‘not easy’. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/board-peace-envoy-says-gaza-plan-needs-quick-progress-hamas-talks-not-easy-2026-04-20/ (Accessed: 31 July 2026).

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Hamas to disarm after Trump Board of Peace plan