By Emmanuel Bobby
Hamas announced Friday that it is prepared to begin a phased process of disarmament under a U.S.-brokered agreement unveiled by President Donald Trump, raising hopes for a possible end to the prolonged war in Gaza. The proposed framework calls for Hamas to gradually relinquish its military capabilities while Israel would halt military operations and eventually withdraw its forces from the Palestinian territory.
Although the announcement marks one of the most significant diplomatic developments since the conflict began, the agreement still faces enormous political, military, and logistical obstacles. Both sides remain deeply divided over the sequence of implementation, and analysts caution that translating the proposal into reality will likely prove far more difficult than negotiating it.
Hamas Conditions Full Disarmament on Palestinian Statehood
While Hamas expressed a willingness to begin the disarmament process, the group emphasized that it would not surrender its heavy weapons unless there is tangible progress toward establishing an independent Palestinian state.
That condition remains a major sticking point because Israel’s current government has consistently rejected the creation of a Palestinian state under the terms sought by Palestinian leaders.
Hamas indicated that lighter weapons controlled by police forces could be addressed earlier in the implementation process, while larger military assets—including rockets, missile systems, explosives, and other heavy weaponry—would only be dealt with during later phases tied to broader political developments.
The position reflects Hamas’ long-standing view that its military arsenal serves as both a means of defense and a symbol of resistance.
Israel Yet to Publicly Endorse the Proposal
Israeli officials have not formally commented on Hamas’ latest announcement or publicly endorsed the new implementation framework.
The proposal builds upon a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States last October, which envisioned Hamas disarming, transferring governing authority to an independent Palestinian administration, and allowing an international stabilization force to help maintain security throughout Gaza.
In exchange, Israel would gradually withdraw its military forces from the territory.
Despite that earlier agreement, implementation stalled after both sides accused each other of failing to meet their commitments.
Israel insisted that any withdrawal depended on Hamas first giving up its weapons and military infrastructure.
Hamas, meanwhile, argued that Israel repeatedly violated the ceasefire by continuing military strikes inside Gaza.
Analysts Remain Skeptical About Implementation
Despite Friday’s announcement, many regional experts remain doubtful that either side will fully carry out the agreement.
Neil Quilliam, a Middle East analyst with the London-based Chatham House think tank, said expectations remain low that Hamas will voluntarily dismantle its military wing or that Israel will significantly reduce its military presence in Gaza under current political conditions.
Quilliam noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense domestic political pressure ahead of national elections scheduled for October.
He suggested that Netanyahu’s decision not to publicly address the agreement may reflect the difficult political calculations surrounding any potential withdrawal from Gaza.
According to Quilliam, several members of Israel’s governing coalition and opposition have already advised against moving forward with the agreement, arguing that major concessions could damage Netanyahu’s reelection prospects.
Agreement Calls for Gradual, Multi-Stage Implementation
President Trump announced that the ceasefire agreement would unfold through what he described as “carefully structured phases.”
Under the proposed framework, Hamas would gradually complete various disarmament milestones while Israeli forces would withdraw in stages.
As security responsibilities shift, an International Stabilization Force would work alongside a newly established Palestinian police force to help maintain order throughout Gaza.
The phased approach is intended to ensure that each side fulfills its obligations before additional steps are taken.
Officials involved in negotiations believe the gradual process may reduce the likelihood of either party abandoning the agreement before completion.
Palestinian Administrative Committee to Assume Control
According to the agreement, weapons currently held by Hamas-controlled police forces would eventually be transferred to a U.S.-backed Palestinian governing body known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
That technocratic committee is expected to assume responsibility for administering the territory once conditions permit.
However, the committee cannot begin operating until several earlier provisions of the agreement are completed, making its arrival dependent on successful implementation of the initial phases.
The agreement further provides that Hamas’ military production facilities, underground tunnel network, and heavy weapons stockpiles would be dismantled only after the Palestinian administration enters Gaza and international peacekeeping personnel are deployed.
Israeli Withdrawal Linked to Disarmament Progress
The agreement directly ties Israel’s military withdrawal to measurable progress in Hamas’ disarmament.
Israeli forces currently control approximately 60 percent of Gaza, including large areas that have suffered widespread destruction during nearly three years of fighting.
Most of Gaza’s estimated two million residents now live in the remaining portions of the territory, where many continue residing in overcrowded tent camps or heavily damaged neighborhoods amid severe humanitarian conditions.
An Israeli official stated Thursday that there will be no withdrawal of Israeli forces before Hamas is fully disarmed and Gaza is effectively demilitarized.
Officials familiar with the negotiations said Israel has participated extensively throughout the diplomatic process, although it is not formally listed as a signatory to the agreement itself.
The ceasefire is being guaranteed by the United States, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, all of which have played key roles in facilitating negotiations.
Full Disarmament Could Take Nearly a Year
Officials overseeing the proposed implementation acknowledged that dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure will be a lengthy undertaking.
While police forces are expected to transfer their weapons relatively early, the surrender of heavy weapons, closure of military production facilities, and decommissioning of Hamas’ extensive tunnel system would occur much later.
According to officials associated with the Board of Peace established to oversee the ceasefire, the complete process could require between 200 and 350 days.
That timeline was described during briefings with reporters, although it does not appear in the written version of the agreement.
Officials said the gradual pace is intended to maintain stability while ensuring each stage of implementation is verified before additional withdrawals or transfers occur.
Weapons Would Remain Under Palestinian Supervision
Officials involved in the negotiations said Hamas and several other Palestinian factions have agreed in principle to collect and securely store weapons under the supervision of the Palestinian technocratic committee.
According to those officials, the stored weapons would remain inside Gaza rather than being transferred directly to Israel or other foreign governments.
The arrangement is intended to provide a transitional security framework while avoiding one of the most politically sensitive aspects of the negotiations.
Representatives familiar with the discussions emphasized that each stage of weapons storage would be linked to corresponding Israeli troop withdrawals.
Israel Continues to Express Doubts
Despite participating in negotiations, Israeli officials remain skeptical that Hamas will ultimately relinquish control of Gaza or surrender its military capabilities.
A U.S. official involved in the diplomatic process said Israeli representatives were consulted throughout every stage of the negotiations and that the agreement does not require Israel to undertake commitments beyond those already included in last year’s ceasefire framework.
Nevertheless, Israeli officials continue to question whether Hamas will fully implement the disarmament provisions.
Rebuilding Gaza Expected to Be Enormous Task
Members of the Palestinian technocratic committee welcomed Friday’s announcement but acknowledged that rebuilding Gaza will present enormous challenges even if the ceasefire is successfully implemented.
Committee representatives said they remain eager to enter the territory but are concerned that security conditions and logistical obstacles could delay deployment.
Officials estimate they are unlikely to begin operating inside Gaza for at least two months.
Once established, the committee will face the massive task of restoring government institutions, rebuilding essential infrastructure, reestablishing public services, and assisting millions of civilians displaced by the conflict.
War Has Left Heavy Humanitarian Toll
The Gaza conflict began after Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign that has continued for nearly three years.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict, including deaths recorded since previous ceasefire arrangements. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty reports but says women and children account for roughly half of those killed.
While Friday’s announcement has revived hopes for a negotiated end to the war, substantial disagreements over disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals, governance, and the future political status of Gaza mean that the path toward lasting peace remains uncertain.
Original article
Comments