On Thursday, July 31st, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced that the Board of Peace has reached a "historic deal" to disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, with Israel agreeing to withdraw its forces from the territory. Trump described the agreement as a "monumental step" in a post on Truth Social, marking progress nine months after a US-brokered ceasefire ended Israel's two-year offensive on Gaza, signed in October 2025 in Egypt's Sharm el Sheikh.

Trump wrote, "This 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. At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks."

The deal addresses a deadlock in negotiations over the disarmament of Hamas and Gaza's reconstruction. Once disarmament is complete, Israel will withdraw its forces and transfer policing duties to a new "International Stabilisation Force," which will collaborate with Palestinian police to maintain security.

Officials have not provided specific timelines for the full disarmament of Hamas or other groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, the Gaza police force is expected to hand over weapons to the Board of Peace-backed Gaza administration within two weeks. The surrender of heavy weapons and dismantling of Hamas tunnels and infrastructure will follow in a process estimated to take between 200 and 350 days, according to a Board of Peace official.

An official also stated that Israel is not being asked to exceed its original commitments under Trump's 20-point plan, which includes withdrawing forces from Gaza and ending airstrikes.

Since the conflict began in response to Hamas' October 7th, 2023 incursion into southern Israel, at least 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, including casualties after the ceasefire, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Sources