President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, July 30, that the US-led Board of Peace reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. Trump described the historic agreement as a major milestone in implementing his 20-point peace plan to end the conflict and rebuild the enclave.
Under the agreement, Hamas would completely disarm and transfer political and security control of Gaza to international troops, a new Palestinian police force, and a transitional government body consisting of nonpartisan experts. Trump stated that this new government would work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people, and that Israel will withdraw from Gaza following the disarmament of Hamas.
While Trump called the deal a critical step, neither Israel nor Hamas issued an immediate statement upon the announcement. Hamas has indicated that the issue of weapons is tied to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Although talks between mediators and Hamas leaders in Cairo reportedly made rare progress, an Israeli official stated that the proposed terms are not satisfactory. A Hamas official and a diplomat noted that progress would be tested by Israel's response.
The issue of Hamas's disarmament has been a key sticking point in the ceasefire deal in place since October. Amidst these developments, medics reported that Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, including two children.