President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza, but many hurdles remain. Conditions and long timelines remain, but, but, however, there are several hurdles, conditions and long timelines to wind down the war in the Palestinian territory.
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The White House announcement comes ninth month after a U.S.-brokered cease-fire was signed. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas had largely deadlocked over the implementation of its second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of the Gaza. The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases, Trump said on social media.
“The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases,” Trump said on social media. “As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors.”
Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan calls on the militant groups to surrender its weapon and destroy its vast network of tunnels. It also envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza, the arrival of a new technocrat Palestinian government, deployment of international security force, and the rebuilding of the battered Palestinian enclave.
On Friday, a Hamas official said that they have reached an agreement on disarmament, the most crucial part of the ceasefire deal. Israel didn’t give an indication that they had agreed. A U.S. official claims that Trump will be very disappointed if Israel does not withdraw as part of its agreement.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire was signed between both sides last year, but negotiations between Israel and Hamas have remained largely stalled over the implementation of its second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.
