Live: Israel yet to respond as US touts disarmament deal with Hamas

US President Donald Trump says a deal has been reached with Hamas for the Palestinian militant group to disarm in exchange for Israeli withdrawal of forces from Gaza.A senior Hamas official told news agency AFP: "An agreement has been reached", however, Israel is yet to respond.Follow all the updates in our live blog. Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:46amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:46amWhat is the Board of Peace?The peace board was established to "set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza" as part of the Trump administration's 20-point peace plan, unveiled last September.More than 40 countries are represented, but there is no Palestinian representation on the board.Israel is a member.Australia has not joined the board, despite an invitation from Mr Trump.American allies including the UK, Canada and France have also declined to sign on, but former British prime minister Tony Blair has a prominent role.(Reuters: Kevin Lamarque)Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:46amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:46amWhere did the peace deal come from?This latest news may feel out of the blue, but it comes after Hamas leaders held talks with mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in Cairo this week.They were deliberating over the implementation of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, as presented to them by his so-called Board of Peace.The plan called for:a surge in humanitarian aidgovernance by a civilian Palestinian administrationthe disarmament of Hamasthe withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza the deployment of an international force to help maintain securityFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:34amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:34amIsrael is yet to respondWhile Mr Trump and Hamas have confirmed the deal, we're still waiting for word from Israel.It's currently just after 4:30am in Israel right now.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:30amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:30amHamas says 'an agreement has been reached'A senior Hamas official told news agency AFP "an agreement has been reached regarding the issue of weapons"."Furthermore, an agreement has been reached on a gradual withdrawal of [Israeli troops]." Ghazi Hamad, a member of the group's negotiating team, said Hamas was making "concessions for the sake of our people in the Gaza Strip, to save them from killing and displacement".He said the issue of weapons was tied to Israel's withdrawal, the deployment of the National Committee and reconstruction work in the territory."Israel will not intervene in the issue of disarmament," he said.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:30amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:30amTrump says Hamas will disarm in Gaza and Israel will withdrawUS President Donald Trump and Hamas say talks with mediators have reached a breakthrough on Gaza that will lead to Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing from the enclave. "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.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:29amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 11:29amTrump says Gaza truce deal has been reachedThanks for joining us today.US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement has been reached for Palestinian militant group Hamas to disarm in Gaza.He says Israel will withdraw its troops.We'll be bringing you all the updates as they unfold.