President Trump Dismisses Concerns Over Hamas Disarmament Plan Amid Mixed Signals From Israel
The Gaza conflict began after Hamas militants raided Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and killed about 1,200 people. Israel responded with massive force, destroying much of the territory and killing more than 70,000 people, according to Gaza health officials. Recently overshadowed by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, the Gaza conflict re-emerged in Washington when President Trump triumphantly announced on Thursday night that Hamas had agreed to “complete disarmament.” However, Mr. Trump brushed off questions on Friday about the viability of the new plan, insisting that Israel was “very happy” with the deal despite signs of concern from Israel’s government and warning that the process would probably undergo “ups and downs.”
The Board of Peace and the Framework of the New Agreement
The plan was officially brokered by the Board of Peace, a multinational body created by Mr. Trump in early 2025 to oversee peace efforts between Israel and Hamas and the eventual reconstruction of Gaza, with Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey playing central roles. The 15-point agreement released by the Board of Peace grants the parties two weeks to determine an implementation schedule, which can be extended, outlining a gradual, sequential, and time-bound process for decommissioning and storing weapons as well as Hamas tunnels under Gaza. The initiative is meant to advance an October 2025 cease-fire agreement that had previously freed the last of the hostages taken on Oct. 7, returned the remains of those who had died in captivity, released many Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and permitted the shipment of more food and medicine into Gaza.
Political Tensions and Netanyahu’s Complex Relationship With Trump
Any resistance to the plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel could further complicate his relations with Mr. Trump, as the two leaders have experienced strong differences regarding diplomacy with Iran and Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Mr. Trump has rejected Mr. Netanyahu’s warnings that Iran responds only to unrelenting military and economic pressure—attempting negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz—and previously forced Mr. Netanyahu to sharply limit Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah. While Mr. Netanyahu has not issued a formal statement on the announcement, the Israeli government circulated comments attributed to a “diplomatic official” insisting on “genuine” disarmament, and right-wing national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the plan “unacceptable” on social media, while pressing alongside others on the Israeli right to reclaim control of the entire strip and allow Jewish settlements.
Hamas Hedging, Implementation Hurdles, and Humanitarian Conditions
It remains unclear whether Hamas has truly agreed to all terms, as the group appeared to hedge on Friday by stating it would only begin surrendering its heavy weapons once Israel halted attacks on Gaza, while indicating no plans to give up light weapons such as assault rifles that maintain its political control. Meanwhile, aid groups reported modest improvements in nutrition and health from shipments allowed under the cease-fire, but the United Nations World Food Program reported last month that “emergency hunger” still gripped roughly 200,000 Gazans and that conditions “risk tipping back into catastrophe.” Natan Sachs, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, noted that ensuring follow-through will be difficult given that Israel and Hamas place an extremely high priority on the matter and will use their focus to try and get their way, while Mr. Trump contends with countless other agenda items competing for his attention.
