Trump Touts Agreement To Disarm Hamas In Gaza, But The Group Says There’s a Caveat

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the U.S.-led Board of Peace had reached an agreement to disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, but an official said that will only happen if the U.S. and Israel take previously agreed steps before.

Speaking to Reuters, Ghazi Hamad said the steps include Israel ending attacks in Gaza, pulling back its forces and increasing the flow of goods into the enclave. "We insisted to the mediators that Israel must abide by the agreement," he told Reuters.

Trump, on his end, said in a social media post that the 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," and, "at the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks."

"This is a major milestone in the implementation of the Trump 20-Point Plan. The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases. 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," Trump added.

"The threat that emerged from Gaza on October 7 will NOT be allowed to rebuild! Under this agreement, Gaza will finally be in the hands of a new Palestinian government that serves its PEOPLE," the post ends.

It is unclear which party will take first step, something that could potentially complement the implementation of the plan. Israel did not make public comments about Trump's announcement.

The potential developments come after Israel approved the entry of a multinational security force into the enclave.

Reuters detailed that the Israeli security cabinet approved the legal framework allowing the move, which will include 200 members from "friendly countries ⁠such as Uganda and Morocco."

The outlet noted that Israel will approve the entry of every contingent, which will be deployed in areas the country does not control to implement the agreement. It is not clear when they will enter Gaza.

The implementation of the agreement that ended hostilities has stalled, and attention has largely shifted elsewhere as a result of the war in Iran.