Breaking: Trump touts deal to disarm Hamas in Gaza talks breakthrough

Trump touts Gaza breakthrough, saying Board of Peace has reached agreement to disarm HamasPosted Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 9:42amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 9:42am, updated Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 10:23amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 10:23amMr Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform. (AP Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)In short: Donald Trump says talks between mediators and Hamas leaders have led to a breakthrough on Gaza involving Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing from the enclave. Sources close to the talks have told Reuters progress has been made at the Cairo talks but it was uncertain if the agreement would hold, as an Israeli official considered the proposed terms unsatisfactory.What's next? The Israeli embassy in Washington and Hamas have been contacted for comment about Mr Trump's post.US President Donald Trump says Cairo talks between mediators and Hamas leaders have reached a breakthrough on Gaza that will lead to Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing. "HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas," Mr Trump posted on social media.He said the plan would be carried out in phases and eventually lead to Israeli forces leaving Gaza.A Board of Peace official said it would supervise the reconstruction of Gaza and Hamas would hand over weapons to a "national committee for the administration of Gaza". Earlier today, sources close to the talks told Reuters news agency that progress was made but it was uncertain if the agreement would hold, as an Israeli official had said the proposed terms were not satisfactory."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," Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social."At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks."A US official told Reuters Israel did not agree and "Trump will be disappointed".The Israeli embassy in Washington and Hamas did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Mr Trump's post.Israeli strikes killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, local time, including two children, medics said.Agreement based on reciprocal steps over trust: Diplomat A Hamas official said the group was preparing a "positive and good" response, but did not say whether it had agreed to fully disarm, which has been a key sticking point in talks over the past four months.Hamas wants Israel to commit to ending attacks on Gaza and withdrawing its forces.Sources close to Hamas said the group was willing to "confine and store" heavy weapons under a Palestinian body, but not hand them over to Israel.It is not yet clear what will happen with light or personal weapons or if the new Hamas stance would be accepted by Israel or the Board of Peace.A diplomat close to the Cairo talks said the plan includes the elimination of tunnels, arms stockpiles and weapons production facilities, adding that by the end of the process there would be no remaining militant infrastructure in Gaza.The diplomat described the agreement's road map as based on reciprocal steps, rather than trust.The reality on the ground in Gaza remains a long way from such an agreement.The Israeli military has continued to expand its occupation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israel intends to expand its control to 70 per cent of the enclave.It remains unclear if Israeli troops will withdraw.