Hamas formally announced it will disarm under the US-brokered Board of Peace plan, with a senior Hamas official confirming the agreement to the BBC and other outlets [3][25]. The announcement moves the ceasefire process beyond prior conditional confirmation to a formal declaration, while Israel's response remains disputed — CGTN reports no official response, while JTA reports formal rejection [26][43]. The agreement envisions Hamas inventorying and storing heavy weapons under a Palestinian transitional administration, phased Israeli withdrawal, and deployment of an International Stabilization Force alongside a new Palestinian police force [1][30].
President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Truth Social, calling it a "HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza" and describing it as "a monumental step toward lasting peace and security" [7][8]. Trump stated that Israel is "very happy about it" and that Israeli forces will withdraw as disarmament is completed [6][29]. The plan is part of a 20-point framework introduced last October, under which a formal ceasefire has been in place, though deadly confrontations have continued [17][20].
Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told multiple outlets that Hamas will not take any disarmament steps before Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza, linking the process to reconstruction and Israel fulfilling prior Sharm el-Sheikh commitments [2][7][30]. A senior Hamas official told the BBC that the group insisted on the wording "inventorying and storing weapons" rather than handing them over to Israel [25]. Hamas officials specified that the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza will be "the sole entity authorised to retain, store, or control weapons in Gaza" and that heavy weapons will be placed under its exclusive control, with offensive weapons gradually handed to a Palestinian government rather than Israel or any external party [6][22][36]. A senior Hamas official told Ynet that the group only agreed to "deposit" weapons in a storage facility, not to disarm [41].
An Israeli official stated that the proposal — described as a 15-point document by most sources, though The Guardian reported a 14-point roadmap — "does not adequately address" Israel's demand for complete demilitarization, including removal of all weapons from Gaza, as a precondition for any process [5][7][26][30]. The official stated there will be "no withdrawal whatsoever of the IDF from the current Yellow Line unless Hamas undergoes a genuine disarmament" [5]. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported Israel's formal rejection of the plan, with an unnamed Israeli diplomatic official stating there will be no withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed and the strip is demilitarized [43]. US officials expressed anger at Israel's stance, with one quoted saying Netanyahu "has got to stand by his commitments" [43].
Israeli far-right figures rejected the deal outright. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the agreement "unacceptable" and said targeted killings in Gaza must continue, "encouraging emigration must happen," and "Israel must win" [6][30]. Ben-Gvir stated that "Solo se habla con los nazis a través de las miras telescópicas" (One only speaks with Nazis through telescopic sights) [9]. Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman described any deal with Hamas as a step backward toward the thinking that paved the way for the October 7 attacks [44].
A US official told the BBC that "we're not asking Israel to do anything other than agree to the 20-point plan that they agreed to, initially" and expressed confidence Israel will comply, adding that Trump would be "very disappointed" if Israel decides not to withdraw [3][7][26]. The official told Corriere della Sera that the plan requires difficult steps over seven to eight months [39].
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the agreement "a constructive step towards peace" if fully implemented, but stated that "verifying Hamas' compliance will be a significant challenge" and that "Israel would need to eventually withdraw from Gaza" [6][7][29]. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul welcomed the plan and stated that Hamas "must never again pose a threat to Israel," pledging German support for humanitarian aid and reconstruction [6][28]. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the agreement as "the only good news in recent days" and called for fighting to stop on all fronts in the region [12][17][29]. Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov said the agreement took "months of very difficult negotiations" and that "implementation and verification have to be real," with "withdrawal must move in lockstep with decommissioning" [17][30][31].
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Turkey is ready to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force and to support rebuilding health, education, and police training in Gaza [46]. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Trump's "courageous leadership" and expressed hope the plan will lead to Palestinian self-determination and an independent state with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital [17][47]. The US asked Italy to join the ISF as a founding member, though Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated there are constitutional problems with the Board of Peace's structure [39][40]. Five countries — Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania — have committed troops to the force, with Egypt and Jordan committed to training police [38].
Iran's Foreign Ministry officially welcomed the agreement, but hardline figures and IRGC-linked media expressed anger, framing the deal as a retreat [35]. The Jerusalem Post reported that IRGC officials urged Hamas not to sign the disarmament deal during late-stage negotiations [33]. Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf praised Hamas without mentioning the deal, while a political advisor to the Supreme Leader suggested the Gaza ceasefire may be "the prelude to the end of the ceasefire elsewhere" [35].
Islamic Jihad spokesperson Mohammad al-Haj Moussa said the current formula is vague and lacks binding guarantees regarding Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, and militia dismantling [36]. Palestinian-American activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib warned that "there is no Hamas without weapons and armed resistance" and that Hamas is unlikely to evolve sustainably while operating under its banner [6]. Orientalist Ruslan Suleymanov cautioned that Trump's statements often diverge from reality and that Hamas is unlikely to fully surrender heavy weapons [15]. Muhammad Shehada of the European Council on Foreign Relations analyzed that Hamas relented due to resentment inside Gaza, eagerness to shed the governing burden of 35,000 employees, disappointment with Iran, and fear of a full-scale Israeli military relaunch [30].
Displaced teacher Mohammed Hamdouna said "finally, the world's longest nightmare will end" but insisted Hamas should have no role in Gaza [27]. Taxi driver Ahmed Aal said "I'm not optimistic… Israel doesn't honour agreements — they'll invent something" [27]. Displaced resident Mahmoud Yousef said "anything before the crossings are opened and tents and aid are allowed in, is just words" [27]. Samir Ayad urged Trump to "start it from your end" — demanding a ceasefire, an end to assassinations, and complete Israeli withdrawal [5][22].
Spanish-language reporting documented Israeli drone strikes in Gaza hours after the disarmament announcement, with at least one Palestinian killed and ten wounded in strikes on the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City and near the Nuseirat refugee camp [32]. The Israeli army announced the killing of a senior commander of Hamas's military wing, the Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades, in a bombardment on the same day [32].
Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said the movement will participate in a new round of talks in the coming days to finalize implementation mechanisms and timelines, meeting mediators, US representatives, and Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov [22]. Whether Israel has formally responded remains disputed, with CGTN reporting no official response and JTA reporting formal rejection [26][43].