Hamas says it will disarm if Israel halts strikes and withdraws from Gaza
Hamas has stated it will disarm if Israel withdraws from Gaza and ends strikes, as part of a deal brokered by the US. However, implementation remains uncertain due to deep-seated distrust and political pressures on both sides.
Why it matters
This represents a potential, albeit fragile, shift in the ongoing conflict that could impact regional stability in the Middle East.
<p>Hamas said Friday (local time) that it will begin disarming as part of a deal announced by US President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to end its strikes and withdraw from Gaza. </p> <p>It marks a <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/31/trump-says-deal-reached-for-hamas-to-disarm-israel-to-leave-gaza/" target="_blank">potential breakthrough in ending the war</a>, but implementation faces major challenges.</p> <p>Hamas also said that laying down its heavy weapons, which would come later in the process, was contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel's current government adamantly rejects.</p> <p>Israel has not officially commented on the deal, which is part of a US-brokered ceasefire announced last October. That agreement called for Hamas to disarm and hand over power to an independent Palestinian administration.
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