Trump Hails Gaza Disarmament Deal as 'Monumental Step' Amid Skepticism

US President Donald Trump has announced a "monumental step forward" for peace in Gaza, claiming the Board of Peace has reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas. The plan, which has been met with significant skepticism in both Israel and Gaza, proposes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces to the "Yellow Line"—a threshold established in October 2025—in exchange for the surrender of Hamas's heavy weapons.

According to the proposal, the inventorying and storage of these weapons would be managed by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body of Palestinians, rather than being handed over directly to Israel. Hamas officials stated their participation is contingent on a total end to Israeli aggression and a guaranteed pathway to an independent Palestinian state.

However, the path to implementation remains fraught with obstacles. A senior Israeli official reiterated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not pull back without "genuine disarmament," expressing fears that the NCAG oversight could allow Hamas to regroup. Internal Israeli politics also complicate the matter; far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already declared the draft agreement "not acceptable," arguing it would allow terrorists to prepare for future attacks.

In Gaza, the humanitarian toll continues to mount. UN reports from April indicate over 71,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1.2 million displaced since the conflict began following the October 7, 2023, attacks. Satellite analysis by BBC Verify further suggests that Israel may be preparing for a long-term presence, having established 14 new military positions and expanding earth barriers along the Yellow Line, effectively turning a temporary boundary into a de facto border.