The newly announced US-brokered disarmament agreement for Gaza is facing an immediate test as Hamas and Israel have each attached conflicting conditions to its implementation. President Donald Trump unveiled the deal on Friday, promising it would bring an end to Israel's genocidal war on the enclave, but he left unanswered the crucial question of which side must act first.
Opposing Preconditions on Withdrawal and Disarmament
Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist and Islamist movement, insists that implementation of the agreement depends on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera. A senior Israeli official, however, told the BBC that Israeli forces will not pull back from Gaza without “genuine” disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions.
The two positions appear irreconcilable on the surface, and President Trump did not clarify the order of operations. During a US cabinet meeting at Camp David, reporters asked whether Hamas disarmament or Israeli withdrawal would come first. Trump declined to answer, instead declaring that “Israel is very happy” with the plan for Hamas to lay down its weapons.
A ‘Monumental Step’ Announced by Trump
On Friday morning, Trump disclosed on his Truth Social platform that a “complete disarmament” agreement had been reached between Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza. He said the agreement will ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the strip and the creation of a “recognised” Palestinian government. In his post, he called the deal “a monumental step” that will be rolled out in structured phases.
The president framed the agreement as a victory for the Board of Peace, the body he established to oversee Gaza in the aftermath of Israel’s military offensive, which has killed at least 70,000 Palestinians. “Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks,” Trump said.
The latest accord is part of a proposed 20-point plan introduced last October. That plan led to a temporary ceasefire, which Israel subsequently violated with near-daily attacks. According to Al Jazeera, Israel violated the October ceasefire at least 3,795 times from October 2025 to July 2026, and more than 1,200 Palestinians were killed during that period. The new agreement with Hamas is intended to be the second phase of the original deal.
Implementation Roadmap: 14-Day Disarmament Plan
The agreement demands the creation of a precise disarmament roadmap within 14 days, according to Al Jazeera. Any extension of that deadline would require the approval of an international verification body and the consent of all parties involved. The disarmament process is set to begin with the entry of a National Committee and the International Stabilisation Force into Gaza.
The National Committee is expected to oversee the inventory and storage process, with the international verification committee observing and Palestinian factions participating. Trump further explained that the International Stabilisation Force will work alongside a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for ensuring that Gaza is safe for its residents and its neighbours.
World Reactions: Cautious Optimism
The agreement drew reactions from global leaders. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the Gaza agreement as “the only good news in recent days” and urged all parties to end the fighting. “Let me be clear: the fighting must stop on all fronts in the region,” Guterres said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the mediating countries — the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye — for their efforts in achieving progress. “Under President Trump’s courageous leadership, this represents a significant achievement for the Board of Peace,” Sharif wrote on X.
Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the negotiations. He said the talks spanned “months” and were “very difficult,” adding, “There were several points when I did not believe we would make it.” Writing on X on Friday, Mladenov emphasized that “implementation and verification have to be real.” He also warned that “withdrawal must move in lockstep with decommissioning.”
Doubts Linger Over Israel’s Track Record
Despite the diplomatic momentum, concerns remain about the effectiveness of the new deal. Israeli troops have repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements since the war began, raising questions about whether the military will honour the latest terms. In addition, Jerusalem has steadfastly resisted efforts by UN member states to recognise Palestinian statehood, a key element of the long-term vision for Gaza.
The unresolved sequencing — who moves first, Hamas or Israel — could determine whether this agreement suffers the same fate as its predecessors. With the Board of Peace now tasked with ensuring compliance, the coming days will test whether both sides are willing to translate words into action.
