Hamas has announced its agreement to a deal intended to fully end Israel's war on Gaza, including a phased disarmament and surrender of weapons. The agreement, revealed late Thursday by U.S. President Donald Trump, stipulates that Israel would also withdraw its forces from Gaza over a period of time. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States finalized the roadmap for this next phase of the ceasefire, according to the U.S.-led Board of Peace and International Stabilization Force for Gaza.

This development comes amid deep Palestinian distrust of Israel, stemming from its alleged failure to adhere to previous agreements. Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was purportedly established on October 10, 2025, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,100 Palestinians. Furthermore, Israel has maintained restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza and expanded its "Yellow Line" zone further into the Strip, actions that experts suggest may contravene the existing ceasefire, which was initially based on a 20-point peace plan introduced by Trump last year.

President Trump heralded the agreement on Truth Social, stating, "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 the deal 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 G.

However, significant hurdles remain. Israel has not publicly confirmed its acceptance of the latest proposal. Hamas has declared it will not implement any part of the deal unless Israeli forces fully withdraw from Gaza as stipulated. Egypt is slated to host representatives from the U.S., Qatar, and Turkey for further discussions aimed at ensuring compliance during this subsequent phase.

Questions persist regarding the adherence of all Palestinian armed factions, beyond Hamas, to the agreement. The full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza also remains a point of uncertainty. The announcement has been met with a mixture of hope and skepticism among Palestinians, who continue to face daily Israeli attacks, repeated displacement, and severe shortages of essential resources.

Experts express doubt about the feasibility of such an agreement, citing the long history of failed peace initiatives and the current volatile geopolitical landscape. The involvement of multiple international mediators underscores the complexity of achieving a sustainable resolution.

Further details regarding the timeline for disarmament, the specifics of the Israeli withdrawal, and the proposed new Palestinian governance structure are expected to emerge from the upcoming talks in Egypt. The international community will be closely watching to see if this agreement can overcome the deep-seated mistrust and lead to lasting peace.

The impact on humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which have been dire, will also be a key indicator of the agreement's success. The ability to restore basic services and facilitate the rebuilding of infrastructure hinges on a genuine cessation of hostilities and a complete withdrawal of forces.