Donald Trump says Board of Peace reaches 'historic' agreement for Hamas to disarm in Gaza

Donald Trump has announced his Board of Peace has reached a "historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza". But it has emerged the US President's latest claim of a peace breakthrough - this time on Hamas in Gaza - is not quite as conclusive as he declares. A four page roadmap of how Gaza’s militants will hand over their weapons has set out phased proceedings in which the guns and other equipment would be handed to a Palestinian organisation. Senior Hamas officials have said they agree to the plan with the troops out first caveat. It is not known if Israel has agreed to the latest development in which all sides would enter a 14 day period, during which arrangements would be set out. That period, according to the latest suggestion by Trump’s Board of Peace, could be extended if more time is needed to negotiate the details Just hours after Trump made the announcement Israel launched another air strike on the Palestinian enclave. Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group and political movement. Founded in 1987, it has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 and is designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the United States, United Kingdom , and Israel. The agreement marks a "critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government", President Trump said. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to say: "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. "This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people. At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks. "This is a major milestone in the implementation of the Trump 20-Point Plan. The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases. As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors. "One year ago there was a violent raging war, humanitarian crisis and hostages kept in brutal captivity. We have made historic progress and there is still much work to do. "I want to thank the mediators—Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye—for their important efforts, and especially my outstanding team, whose tireless work made this historic breakthrough possible. "The threat that emerged from Gaza on October 7 will NOT be allowed to rebuild! "Under this agreement, Gaza will finally be in the hands of a new Palestinian government that serves its PEOPLE. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ON THIS AMAZING DEVELOPMENT, THAT EVERYBODY SAID COULD NEVER BE ACHIEVED!" Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas official involved in the negotiations, said: "Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of weapons from Gaza and the complete demilitarisation of the Strip as a precondition for any process. He said Hamas had “chosen to make concessions in order to save the Palestinian people.” But he added: “We will not give up our efforts to achieve the goals of the Palestinian people.” And he stressed: “The agreement contains a clear provision stating that Israel must commit to and implement its obligations. “If Israel does not implement the agreement, neither will we." The war in Gaza began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Almost 76,000 Palestinians including women and children have been killed in fighting since Hamas’s October 7 2023 attack on Israel triggered war in the Strip. Some 1,200 died in the attack launched by Hamas and other extremist groups from within Gaza and Lebanese Hezbollah then joined the war by attacking northern Israel. Thousands more have died in that conflict and Iran too has been involved in unleashing missiles and drones at Israel, triggering another front. Yemeni Houthi rebels, sponsored by Tehran, have also joined in attacking Israel. Another 350 people were kidnapped during the Hamas attack and they were then taken back into the Palestinian territory. After years of negotiating the dead and living captives have been released back to Israel but the conflict has created deep mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians. It has also led to immense pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he has pressed the war on Hamas and Hezbollah, with the approval of far-right politicians in his coalition. But the war has led to mass protests throughout Israel and calls for him to step down.