Middle East conflict: Hamas says it will disarm only if Israel complies with terms of deal

CNA

110 views • 22 hours ago Save 3 min 2 min read

Video Summary

A fragile, high-stakes agreement has been announced to end the war in Gaza through a phased, parallel process of Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. The plan, touted by U.S. President Donald Trump, envisions a multinational 'International Stabilization Force' partnering with a new Palestinian police force to secure the enclave, eventually transitioning governance to a new Palestinian administration.

Despite the announcement, the deal faces severe implementation hurdles. Israel has not officially signed the agreement, and anonymous officials have already signaled resistance to withdrawing from the 60% of territory currently under their control. With no clear timeline for the sequencing of actions, and heavy weapons and tunnel networks excluded from the initial two-week police disarmament phase, the path to a lasting peace remains fraught with deep skepticism and logistical uncertainty.

Short Highlights

Hamas must surrender weapons and destroy tunnel networks.
Israeli forces must withdraw from Gaza.
A new technocratic Palestinian government will be established.
An international security force will be deployed to maintain stability.
The initial phase involves the Gaza police force handing over weapons within two weeks, excluding heavy armaments.
Implementation timelines are estimated to span between 200 and 350 days.
Israel has not officially signed the agreement and has expressed opposition to withdrawing from currently controlled areas.

Key Details

The Proposed Framework [00:00]

The plan mandates a phased disarming of militant groups paired with a complete Israeli military pull-out.
A U.S.-backed body and a multinational International Stabilization Force are slated to manage security and governance.
Hamas insisting any disarmament would be contingent on Israel meeting its side of the bargain.

Execution and Sequencing Hurdles [01:10]

Observers highlight the lack of a clear timeline and the critical challenge of determining which side acts first.
The initial two-week phase for the Gaza police to surrender weapons excludes heavy weaponry and most Hamas militants.
Yes, while this is a huge development, there are still challenges ahead.

The Sticking Points [02:25]

Israel has yet to sign the deal, with anonymous officials indicating they will not vacate the 60% of Gaza they currently control.
Experts estimate full disarmament and tunnel decommissioning could take up to 350 days.
In addition, we have a statement from an Israeli official, anonymous official, who said that Israel won't withdraw from the areas it controls in Gaza.