Donald Trump has announced his Board of Peace has reached a “historic” agreement to secure the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups operating in Gaza.
The US President hailed the deal as a “monumental step” towards lasting peace and security in the war-torn territory.
Announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Mr 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.”
Mr Trump said the agreement marked a “major milestone” in the implementation of his 20-point peace plan.
Unveiled at the White House in September, the proposal sets out a roadmap to end the conflict between Hamas and Israel, alongside plans for Gaza’s future security, governance and reconstruction.
The US President said the disarmament agreement would be implemented in “carefully structured phases”.
“As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilisation Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbours,” he added.
Mr Trump said the agreement marked a ‘major milestone’ in the implementation of his 20-point peace plan
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GETTYMr Trump thanked Egypt, Qatar and Turkey for mediating the agreement before reflecting on how, just 12 months ago, Gaza was embroiled in “a violent raging war, humanitarian crisis and hostages kept in brutal captivity”.
Hailing the “historic progress”, the US President acknowledged there was “still much work to do”.
He continued: “The threat that emerged from Gaza on October 7 will not be allowed to rebuild.
“Under this agreement, Gaza will finally be in the hands of a new Palestinian Government that serves its people.
CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST – READ MORE:
Hamas has not yet commented publicly on the agreement
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GETTY“Congratulations to all on this amazing development, that everybody said could never be achieved.”
The Board of Peace has confirmed that Hamas has agreed to a “detailed roadmap for implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire”.
Ghazi Hammad, a senior Hamas member involved in negotiations, told Al Jazeera: “Israel will not interfere in the disarmament issue, and the national committee is the one that will carry out this task.”
He warned that the terror group will not abide by the deal should Israeli forces “not fulfil their obligations under the agreement”.
The Board of Peace is an international transitional body chaired by Mr Trump and was established under his 20-point peace plan
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Israel has not yet commented publicly on the agreement.
However, Israeli officials are said to be deeply skeptical over whether the terror group will follow through with its commitments, according to Axios
The Board of Peace is an international transitional body chaired by Mr Trump and was established under his 20-point peace plan.
It oversees a technocratic Palestinian committee responsible for the territory’s day-to-day administration and public services, while coordinating Gaza’s reconstruction and international funding until a reformed Palestinian Authority is considered ready to assume control.
Sir Tony Blair has been appointed to the board’s founding executive, which is tasked with leading long-term peace efforts in the Middle East.
The US President previously described the group as “the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled at any time, any place”.
