US President Donald Trump has announced what he described as a "historic agreement" providing for the full disarmament of Hamas and all other armed organisations in the Gaza Strip, a key component of a broader plan intended to achieve a lasting end to the conflict.
Two Hamas officials, speaking anonymously to AFP, reportedly confirmed that an agreement had been reached following weeks of negotiations in Egypt.
Part of Gaza ceasefire roadmap
The talks formed part of efforts to implement the second phase of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on 10 October 2025.
The US-backed plan envisages the disarmament of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the deployment of a proposed International Stabilisation Force.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said:
"Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY."
He added that Israeli troops would withdraw once the disarmament process had been completed.
New security framework
According to Trump, the planned International Stabilisation Force would work alongside a newly established Palestinian police force to maintain security in Gaza.
The force is expected to include personnel from multiple countries and operate under the auspices of the Board of Peace, a body established by Trump.
'Broad convergence'
A Hamas source told AFP earlier that there had been "broad convergence" on key disarmament issues, adding that amendments to the proposed roadmap had been submitted to mediators and that an Israeli response was awaited.
Egyptian media reported that Cairo is expected to host a new meeting of mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States, to discuss implementation of the second phase.
According to diplomatic sources, weapons held by Palestinian factions would eventually be transferred to the proposed Gaza Governance Committee, a technocratic Palestinian body expected to oversee the territory during a transitional period.
Political transition
Israel has made the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions a prerequisite for advancing the broader peace roadmap.
Earlier this month, Hamas announced the dissolution of the committee that had managed civilian affairs in Gaza since 2007 and said it intended to transfer responsibilities to the new governance body.
While many European and Arab officials support a broader political process involving existing Palestinian institutions, Israel continues to oppose any return of Hamas to power and has not endorsed direct governance of Gaza by the Palestinian Authority.
Humanitarian crisis continues
Despite the ceasefire, violence has not entirely ceased.
Local health authorities reported that at least four people were killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Thursday.
Much of Gaza's population remains affected by a severe humanitarian crisis.
