Bangkok: U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed a historic agreement aimed at gradually disarming Hamas and other militant groups in the Gaza Strip through negotiations facilitated by intermediaries in Cairo, Egypt. Despite this development, Israel remains skeptical about Hamas's willingness to lay down its arms.
According to Thai News Agency, President Trump announced via social media that the Peace Commission had reached a significant agreement, marking a major step toward achieving lasting peace and security in the region. The agreement envisions the establishment of a new Palestinian government to govern the Gaza Strip in collaboration with the Commission, ensuring stability for Israel and preventing the area from becoming a base for terrorism in the future.
Hamas, however, has stated that the document is merely a draft agreement. Members of their negotiating team have indicated that Hamas will not proceed with disarmament until the Israeli army withdraws from the Gaza Strip. They further clarified that the draft agreement stipulates that heavy weapons will be stored and maintained under the control of the Palestinian administration, rather than being handed over to Israel.
Israel's stance on the agreement remains firm. An Israeli official disclosed that Israel had previously rejected the 15-point proposal, as it did not meet Israel's core demands: the complete disarmament of Hamas, removal of all weapons from the area, and decriminalization of the Gaza Strip before any further processes can proceed.
While US officials express confidence that Hamas will adhere to the agreement, they acknowledge Israel's skepticism. The exact timeframe for implementation is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 200 to 320 days. US officials emphasize that the agreement relies more on compliance with conditions rather than mere trust.
The Peace Committee, chaired by President Trump and with Nikolai Mladenov as Special Representative, has outlined a plan that includes accelerating humanitarian aid, establishing a Palestinian civilian administration, withdrawing Israeli troops, deploying an international security force, and dismantling all tunnels and weapons production sites.
Despite these plans, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel plans to expand its control to cover 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, amidst ongoing uncertainty about the number of international forces to be deployed and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The ceasefire agreement continues to be violated, with health officials in the Gaza Strip reporting that recent Israeli attacks have resulted in at least six more deaths, including two children. This brings the total number of Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began in October to over 1,200, while four Israeli soldiers have also been killed.