Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Hamas has agreed to a plan that includes the complete disarmament of the group in exchange for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, which was first reported by multiple international media outlets, outlines a roadmap where Hamas would hand over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee, while Israeli forces would gradually reduce their presence in the territory. The deal comes amid ongoing tensions and violence in the region, with reports of Israeli settlers setting fire to agricultural land near Nablus, highlighting the fragile security situation.
The agreement, however, remains subject to several unresolved issues, including the order of steps—whether disarmament should precede the withdrawal of Israeli forces or vice versa—and the exact terms of the withdrawal. These details have not yet been fully clarified, and neither Hamas nor Israeli officials have publicly confirmed the terms of the deal. Despite the announcement, some analysts remain skeptical, noting that past agreements between the two sides have often failed to materialize due to political and security concerns.
Hamas has also emphasized that the implementation of the deal depends on Israel fulfilling its commitments under a previous agreement reached last year. A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the success of the new plan hinges on Israel honoring its obligations, signaling a cautious approach to the proposed peace process. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with residents describing the past two years as a “longest nightmare” marked by strikes, hunger, and displacement.
