On July 30, former President Trump announced that the so-called “peace committee” he spearheaded had reached a “historic agreement” that day, under which Hamas and all other armed factions in Gaza would fully disarm, followed by an Israeli troop withdrawal from the strip.
In a social media post, Trump touted the deal as a major milestone in his “20-point plan for Gaza,” calling it “a crucial step toward lasting peace and security” and “a vital move toward placing Gaza under the governance of a new Palestinian administration.” He also stressed that the agreement would provide Israel with the security guarantees it deserves.
Under the terms, Gaza would gradually transition to control by a new Palestinian government, which would work with the “peace committee” to manage local affairs and ensure Israel no longer faces the threat of attacks from Gaza. Trump was adamant that the kind of surprise assault Hamas launched on Israel, and the conflict it ignited, must never be allowed to happen again.
According to him, the deal would be rolled out in phases. As Hamas completes its disarmament, Israeli forces would gradually pull back. An international stabilization force would then team up with newly formed Palestinian police units to maintain security in and around Gaza.
Trump also thanked Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their mediation efforts, while noting that despite significant progress, a mountain of work still lies ahead.
Reuters reports that both Hamas and the Israeli Embassy in Washington had not yet responded to requests for comment on Trump’s post. Meanwhile, Saudi sources cited a Hamas official as saying a deal with Israel had been reached, with a formal statement from Hamas expected soon.
A Hamas official and a diplomat close to the Cairo negotiations told Reuters that whether the talks continue to move forward hinges on Israel’s response and whether it permits a broader agreement to take shape.
However, earlier Thursday, an anonymous Israeli official revealed that Israel had already turned down a proposal.
“Israel demands that Hamas completely disarm—including removing all weapons from Gaza and achieving full demilitarization of the strip—as a precondition for any process. The document did not adequately address these demands, and Israel has voiced its objections,” the official said.
Two Egyptian sources noted that Hamas had agreed to several sticking points, including handing over weapons, but had requested changes to the definition of “infrastructure to be dismantled,” adding that more negotiations were underway.
So far, the reality on the ground in Gaza remains far removed from this roadmap. The Israeli military continues to expand its occupation, with Prime Minister Netanyahu vowing to extend control over up to 70% of the enclave.
Health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes on Thursday killed at least two children, one woman, and three men. The military claimed the strikes targeted Hamas fighters.
According to Gaza health officials, since the ceasefire took effect, Israeli attacks have killed over 1,200 Palestinians, most of them civilians, with the latest deaths adding to that grim toll.
