Key facts
- Donald Trump announced a Gaza ceasefire and disarmament deal, calling it 'historic'.
- Hamas has agreed to a 15-point draft peace plan framework for Gaza's ceasefire, governance, and reconstruction.
- Hamas states disarmament is contingent on Israel ending attacks and withdrawing forces.
- A senior Israeli official stated troops will not withdraw without 'genuine disarmament' of Hamas.
- The Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, would oversee the agreement's implementation and receive Hamas weapons.
- Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed the draft as 'not acceptable'.
President Donald Trump announced a Gaza ceasefire and disarmament deal, describing it as a 'historic' breakthrough and a significant step for the Middle East. The agreement, part of his 20-point plan to end the war, involves Hamas disarming and Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza in phases.
Hamas has officially agreed to a 15-point draft peace plan framework covering ceasefire, governance, and reconstruction. However, the group stated that disarmament is contingent on Israel fulfilling prior commitments, including ending all forms of aggression and withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Hamas weapons would be handed over to the Board of Peace, an organization chaired by Trump, which allows countries to gain permanent membership by paying $1 billion.
A senior Israeli official stated that Israeli troops would not pull back from their current positions without the 'genuine disarmament' of Hamas. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed the draft proposal as 'not acceptable'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet commented on the latest proposal, though Trump insisted Israel was 'very happy' with the agreement.
Palestinian officials believe Hamas's decision to agree to the plan was influenced by the devastating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The Board of Peace published a roadmap reaffirming its proposal for phased disarmament, gradual Israeli withdrawal, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the proposed agreement 'the only good news in recent days', while UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband urged the implementation of the full 20-point peace plan, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces and respect for the ceasefire by all parties. The war in Gaza was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 73,290 deaths, according to the territory's health ministry.