Hamas disarmament cannot wait for the IDF's withdrawal from Gaza - editorial

Palestinians deserve a chance to live under a government that is not preparing for the next war; Israelis deserve to know that an IDF withdrawal will not be followed by rearmament and another attack.

A US-backed proposal would see Hamas surrender its weapons to a new Palestinian governing body as Israeli forces gradually withdraw from Gaza. The plan has already drawn fierce opposition from Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Donald Trump has announced what he has called an "historic" agreement for the phased, complete disarmament of Hamas - to be overseen by his 'Board of Peace' - alongside a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops.

There has been no immediate statement from Israel regarding the agreement.

Trump says the deal to advance his 20-point peace plan will be rolled out in “carefully structured phases”, but did not announce a timeline as to when the process may be completed.

Earlier, talks between Israel and Hamas remained stalled over the ceasefire, particularly the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.

President Trump said Hamas and his international "Board of Peace" have agreed on the next steps in a peace deal that includes Hamas' disarmament in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas said Friday it agreed to a deal to end the war with Israel that included provisions addressing its weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The group's disarmament has been one of the key sticking points in the advancement of a ceasefire deal that has been in place

Hamas has said it agreed to a deal to end the war with Israel that included provisions addressing its weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.