Gaza Board of Peace announces Hamas disarmament agreement: What we know
Why this could become the biggest turning point in the Gaza war — if it survives political reality
By Saqib S. Qureshi
SCN NEWS
For the first time since the Gaza war erupted, Hamas says it has agreed in principle to a framework that would eventually see it surrender its weapons in exchange for a phased Israeli military withdrawal and the creation of a new Palestinian governing authority.
If implemented, the agreement would fundamentally reshape Gaza's political and security landscape. Yet despite the headline, the proposal is far from a finalized peace deal. Israel has not formally accepted the framework, and both sides remain divided over the order in which key commitments should be carried out.
What is the agreement?
According to the framework announced by President Donald Trump and the U.S.-led Board of Peace, Hamas would gradually disarm while Israel would progressively withdraw its forces from Gaza under international supervision. The proposal is tied to Trump's broader 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, which envisions ending Hamas' military rule and replacing it with a technocratic Palestinian administration.
The plan also calls for an International Stabilization Force to oversee security during the transition while humanitarian aid and reconstruction accelerate.
What would Hamas have to do?
The proposal requires Hamas and other armed factions to:
- Hand over heavy weapons.
- Dismantle military infrastructure and tunnel networks.
- Transfer weapons to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza under international monitoring.
- Relinquish armed control over Gaza's security.
For Hamas, this would represent the biggest strategic shift since it seized control of Gaza in 2007.
What would Israel have to do?
Israel's obligations are equally significant.
The proposal envisions:
- A phased withdrawal of Israeli forces.
- Transfer of governance to a Palestinian technocratic administration.
- International monitoring of security.
- Expanded humanitarian access and reconstruction.
However, Israeli officials have not publicly endorsed the framework and continue insisting that Hamas must first demonstrate meaningful disarmament before any military withdrawal begins
Why Palestinians remain skeptical
Despite international optimism, many Palestinians question whether the agreement can actually be implemented.
Years of failed ceasefires, repeated negotiations and broken commitments have produced widespread distrust.
Among the biggest concerns are:
- Will Israel actually withdraw?
- Who will govern Gaza after Hamas?
- Who guarantees reconstruction funding?
- Will displaced Palestinians be allowed to return?
- What happens if either side violates the agreement?
Without clear answers, many Gazans see the proposal as another diplomatic announcement rather than an imminent peace settlement.
Why Israel remains cautious
For Israel, security remains the overriding concern.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly argued that any withdrawal before Hamas fully disarms could allow the group to rebuild its military capabilities.
That sequencing dispute has become the agreement's biggest obstacle.
Hamas says Israeli withdrawal must begin first.
Israel says disarmament must come first.
Neither side currently accepts the other's timeline.
What is the Board of Peace?
The Board of Peace is a U.S.-led international initiative created under Trump's Gaza peace strategy to coordinate post-war governance, reconstruction and security arrangements.
It includes U.S. officials and international partners and works alongside the proposed International Stabilization Force and Gaza's future technocratic administration. Supporters describe it as a mechanism for rebuilding Gaza, while critics argue Palestinians have limited direct representation in its structure.
Why this matters
If implemented successfully, the agreement would:
- End Hamas' role as Gaza's armed authority.
- Allow Israel to gradually withdraw.
- Launch Gaza's largest reconstruction effort.
- Create a new Palestinian governing body.
- Potentially restart broader regional peace negotiations.
But if negotiations collapse, fighting could quickly resume, leaving the humanitarian crisis unresolved.
SCN Analysis
The announcement is politically significant because it is the first time Hamas has publicly indicated a willingness to discuss comprehensive disarmament within an internationally supervised framework. That alone marks a notable shift.
However, the real challenge begins now.
Peace agreements are not judged by announcements—they are judged by implementation.
Until Israel formally approves the proposal, both parties agree on a sequencing mechanism, and international monitors verify each phase, the framework remains a diplomatic breakthrough on paper, not yet on the ground.