Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced what he described as a “historic” agreement under which Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza would disarm, while Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from the enclave in phases, marking what he called a major step toward implementing his proposed 20-point peace framework for Gaza.
The announcement comes about nine months after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas. However, negotiations over the second phase of that deal had remained stalled, particularly on issues related to Hamas’ disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals and Gaza’s post-war governance.
In a post on social media, Trump said the agreement represented a significant milestone toward achieving lasting peace in the region.
“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,” Trump wrote.
He added that the arrangement would eventually lead to the establishment of a new Palestinian administration in Gaza while addressing Israel’s long-standing security concerns.
“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,” Trump said.
According to Trump, the agreement will be implemented in carefully structured phases, with Hamas’ disarmament directly linked to the withdrawal of Israeli troops. He said an International Stabilization Force, working alongside a newly established Palestinian police force, would eventually assume responsibility for maintaining security in Gaza.
“This is a major milestone in the implementation of the Trump 20-Point Plan. 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,” he said.
What Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Plan Proposes?
Trump’s 20-point proposal outlines a comprehensive roadmap aimed at ending the conflict, securing the release of hostages, rebuilding Gaza and establishing a new political and security structure for the territory after the war.
Among its key provisions are the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of an International Stabilization Force and the creation of a temporary Palestinian technocratic administration backed by an international body known as the “Board of Peace.”
The proposal also envisions a large-scale international reconstruction programme, economic development initiatives, humanitarian aid expansion and the eventual transfer of governance to a reformed Palestinian Authority.
Other major provisions include the immediate release of all Israeli hostages, a corresponding prisoner exchange, amnesty for Hamas members who surrender their weapons and commit to peaceful coexistence, destruction of militant infrastructure, establishment of a special economic zone and long-term efforts to advance Palestinian self-determination through political dialogue.
The framework also states that Israel would not permanently occupy or annex Gaza. Instead, Israeli forces would gradually hand over control of the territory to the International Stabilization Force as security benchmarks linked to Gaza’s demilitarisation are achieved.
Gaza War
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military offensive in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.
