Why It Matters
A proposed disarmament agreement between Hamas and Israel could reshape Palestinian governance and reduce military threats in Gaza. The deal represents a significant diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to establish a ceasefire framework and establish civilian control over the territory.
What Happened
The Trump administration announced Thursday that its Board of Peace had reached an agreement with Hamas requiring the militant organization to disarm and cede governance of Gaza to a new Palestinian technocratic administration. The accord was finalized after months of negotiations involving mediators from Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt.
Under the terms, both Hamas and Israel would undertake reciprocal steps over approximately seven to eight months, each independently verified. Implementation is expected to begin within coming weeks. The new governing body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), would assume Hamas’s current administrative role.
The disarmament process would span 200 to 250 days and proceed incrementally across Gaza’s geography. Hamas’s civilian police force would transfer weapons to a new Palestinian police force operating under the technocratic government. Heavy weapons would be decommissioned and secured in storage, while underground tunnel networks and weapons manufacturing facilities would be dismantled. All other armed militias in Gaza would be required to surrender their weapons as well.
An international stabilization force would be deployed to train the new Palestinian police and oversee weapons collection efforts. Israel would halt military operations and targeted killings during the process, except in cases of imminent threat. The final timeline for Israeli withdrawal remains under negotiation.
Hamas official Ghazi Hamad stated that the organization would not comply with disarmament measures until Israel completes its withdrawal from Gaza. Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad hosted the talks and maintains established relationships with Hamas leadership, while Hamas representatives also consulted with senior officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during recent discussions.
By the Numbers
200 to 250 days — the expected duration of the demilitarization process
7 to 8 months — timeframe for completing reciprocal and independently verified steps by both parties
2 million — residents of Gaza, most currently living in tents or makeshift shelters
1,200 — Palestinians killed since the October 10, 2025 ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry
Zoom Out
Efforts to establish a durable Israeli-Palestinian settlement have repeatedly stalled over demilitarization and governance issues. Previous ceasefire attempts and peace initiatives have collapsed when parties disagreed on disarmament sequencing, verification mechanisms, or withdrawal timelines. The current proposal attempts to address these obstacles through sequential, monitored steps and third-party oversight, though skepticism persists given historical breakdowns in similar arrangements.
The involvement of Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt reflects established diplomatic channels in Middle Eastern negotiations, while the participation of Iranian officials signals broader regional dimensions to the talks. International stabilization forces in post-conflict settings have produced mixed results, with success depending heavily on mandate clarity and participating nations’ commitment.
What’s Next
The agreement now enters an implementation phase expected to commence in coming weeks. Both parties must demonstrate compliance with initial reciprocal steps, with independent verification mechanisms monitoring progress. Israel’s final withdrawal schedule will need to be formalized, and the international stabilization force composition and rules of engagement will require detailed planning. The success of the arrangement will depend on sustained adherence by all parties and the credibility of verification processes over the extended seven-to-eight-month timeline.