Hamas agrees to Board of Peace plan for complete Gaza disarmament; Israel yet to comment on withdrawal timeline

President Donald Trump’s announcement on Truth Social characterizes the deal as a "monumental step toward lasting peace and security." The agreement, reached through the Gaza Peace Council framework, aims to ensure that the terror threat which manifested in the October 7 massacre cannot be rebuilt. According to U.S. officials, the implementation of the plan is expected to span between 200 and 300 days, moving sector by sector across the Gaza Strip.

The Disarmament Mechanism

The core of the agreement is the "one authority, one law, one weapon" model. Hamas and other terror groups are required to surrender all heavy weaponry, light arms, and tunnel infrastructure. The process will be overseen by the Gaza Peace Council and an International Stabilization Force. Initial reports indicate that weapons will be collected and handed over to a national committee, with light arms eventually being transferred to a newly formed Palestinian police force. This force will work alongside international stabilizers to maintain order and prevent the re-emergence of armed cells.

Israeli Security and Withdrawal

A critical component of the framework is the synchronization of IDF movements with verified disarmament. President Trump stated that Israeli forces will withdraw only upon the completion of the weapons handover. This "zero trust" approach is designed to address Israeli security concerns regarding hidden stockpiles. While American officials claim the deal was coordinated with Israel throughout the process, they also noted that Israeli leadership remains skeptical of Hamas's willingness to fully comply. As of Friday morning, Israel has not confirmed its acceptance of the specific withdrawal timeline mentioned in the American briefings.

Analysis and Regional Implications

The success of the plan hinges on the unprecedented verification of the destruction of the tunnel network and clandestine production sites. The International Stabilization Force, reportedly led by the United States and supported by regional partners, faces the task of managing the transition from factionalized armed control to a centralized governance model. For Israel, the primary objective remains the permanent neutralization of Gaza as a launchpad for attacks. The coming weeks will test whether the "practical actions" of weapons surrender match the diplomatic rhetoric of the announcement.