Trump says peace plan to disarm Hamas; Israel uncertain

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that talks in Cairo have yielded a historic agreement for the phased and complete disarmament of Hamas, but the plan's success remains uncertain as Israeli officials signaled rejection of the proposed terms. The announcement comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza and months of stalled negotiations.

Trump's announcement and the Cairo talks

In a social media post, Trump described the deal as a critical step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza that would work closely with his Board of Peace to ensure both Palestinian governance and Israeli security. The agreement follows talks in Cairo between mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey and Hamas leaders. Sources close to the talks reported progress, but cautioned that Israel's response would determine whether a broad accord can be reached.

Trump's Board of Peace, led by envoy Nickolay Mladenov, has been overseeing the implementation of the peace plan. The plan envisions a road map that includes a surge in humanitarian aid, governance by a civilian Palestinian administration, disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the deployment of an international security force.

Israel's objections and the disarmament demand

Despite Trump's optimistic tone, an Israeli official who declined to be named said Israel had rejected a 15-point document from the talks. The official stated that Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of all weapons and the full demilitarization of Gaza, as a precondition for any process. The proposed terms, the official said, failed to provide a satisfactory response to these demands.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. The rejection underscores a fundamental disagreement: Israel insists on total disarmament before any ceasefire or withdrawal, while Hamas seeks a commitment from Israel to end attacks and pull out troops.

Hamas’s position and the sticking point

A Hamas official said the group was bringing a “positive and good” response to the talks but did not confirm agreement to fully disarm, which has been the main stumbling block for months. Sources close to Hamas indicated the group is willing to “confine and store” heavy weapons under a Palestinian body, rather than hand them over to Israel. The fate of light or personal weapons remains unclear.

The diplomat involved in the talks said the road map under discussion would transfer authority in phases to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, under the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon.” The plan includes the elimination of tunnels, arms stockpiles, and weapons production facilities, with the goal of leaving no militant infrastructure in Gaza by the end of the process. The diplomat described the plan as based on reciprocal steps rather than trust.

Broader context and next steps

Earlier Thursday, Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza, including two children, highlighting the volatile situation on the ground. Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Anna Evstigneeva, told the Security Council that a road map prepared by Mladenov had so far failed to gain the support of both Israel and Hamas, with demilitarization remaining the key obstacle.

As negotiations continue, the immediate challenge is whether Israel can be brought on board. The diplomat close to the talks expressed cautious optimism, noting progress toward a framework that would decommission all heavy and light weapons. However, without Israeli acceptance, the plan risks collapsing. The international community will be watching closely as the Board of Peace and regional mediators push for a breakthrough. For now, Trump’s announcement appears to be a bold claim of progress, but the path to a lasting peace in Gaza remains fraught with hurdles.