Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Hamas seeks clarity on Gaza disarmament terms
Hamas called on Tuesday for clarifications from US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace after the board said Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would begin only once Hamas had completely disarmed.
The Palestinian Islamist movement said Friday that it had agreed to hand over its weapons. The Board of Peace then published a roadmap that included provisions for gradual Hamas disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel objected to a pullout without the prior completion of verifiable disarmament by Hamas. After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, the Board of Peace said Israel's withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line, which marks the area between Hamas and Israeli military control, would take place only once weapons decommissioning was complete.
A Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hamas and other Palestinian factions were uneasy with the statement issued by Nickolay Mladenov, the board's high representative for Gaza, after his meeting with Netanyahu. The official said the statement focused on weapons and did not address Israel's obligations, including humanitarian issues and halting military operations in Gaza.
Another Hamas official said the group was waiting for a clear and official response from Mladenov on the agreed terms, Mladenov's position on Israeli military escalation in Gaza and what the official called stalling on implementation of the agreement.
Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, which are mediating the Gaza truce, have criticised Israel after renewed strikes in the territory. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Tuesday that Israel was responsible for delays in implementing the Trump plan and said recent Israeli strikes were an attempt to derail it.
The board's latest statement appeared to differ from Mladenov's Friday comment that withdrawal should move in step with weapons decommissioning. The text of the agreement has not been released publicly.
Update
A Hamas official said Hamas and other Palestinian factions were uneasy with Nickolay Mladenov's statement after his meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Another Hamas official said the group was waiting for a clear and official response from Mladenov on the agreed terms, Israel's military escalation in Gaza and alleged stalling in implementation.
Qatar blamed Israel on Tuesday for delays in implementing the Trump plan for Gaza.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 12:58:40 UTC.
Update
Hamas said late Monday it was adhering to what was agreed on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, including all parties' commitments.
Hamas said it was awaiting a clear and official response from Nickolay Mladenov and mediators on what was agreed.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the latest development a very positive step, with the caveat that Hamas must be disarmed.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 02:34:49 UTC.
Update
Qatar, Egypt and Turkey late Monday criticised Israel over renewed strikes in Gaza and condemned what they called ongoing Israeli violations.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 21:27:26 UTC.
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Mahmoud Bassal of Gaza's civil defence rescue service said an Israeli strike on a vehicle west of Gaza City on Monday evening killed two Palestinians and injured several others.
The Israeli military said it targeted two militants in the strike.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 19:47:08 UTC.
Update
Nickolay Mladenov met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday over the Gaza plan.
The Board of Peace said it had reached a common understanding with Israel on shared objectives.
Two members of Netanyahu's security cabinet urged a vote to tear up the deal after the board released its text.
No new strikes were reported Monday in Gaza, although a Gaza security official said Israeli attacks killed 19 Palestinians on Sunday.
Mohammad Dahlan revised a post that had said Jared Kushner told him Israel would end strikes from Sunday, later saying Kushner was working with Israel to halt attacks.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 19:05:02 UTC.
Update
The Trump-backed Board of Peace said Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would take place only after the complete disarmament of Hamas.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 17:34:35 UTC.
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Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a colleague demanded that Israel's security cabinet hold a new vote on the Gaza plan.
Several Israeli media reports said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace high representative for Gaza.
A Board of Peace official said the plan would seek to improve life in Gaza, enhance Israeli security, remove Hamas from power and see it hand over weapons.
The item says no major strikes were reported Monday after a Gaza security official reported 19 Palestinians killed since early Sunday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 17:13:15 UTC.
Update
A political source told AFP that Israel would not retreat from its current position in Gaza and would continue to act against threats to civilians and soldiers.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the latest development was a positive step, with the caveat that Hamas must be disarmed.
The item adds context that Netanyahu faces a re-election fight in October and has promoted his relationship with Trump.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 15:14:42 UTC.
Update
A security official in Gaza said Israeli strikes had killed 19 Palestinians, including women and children, since early Sunday.
Palestinian authorities said an Israeli strike on Saturday destroyed a large number of medical supplies.
The Israeli military said it killed two people on Saturday whom it accused of planning attacks on Israeli civilians and troops.
The roadmap released by Trump's Board of Peace called for Israel to complete commitments to cease military operations in Gaza fully and without delay and called for a phased Israeli withdrawal.
Mohammad Dahlan revised a social media post about Jared Kushner and later accused Netanyahu of obstructing a chance to begin ending the war.
The source item says Israel controls more than 60 percent of Gaza and that more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire, according to Gaza authorities.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 11:41:04 UTC.
Update
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman Doron Spielman said Israel had conveyed comments and concerns to the United States and that the public version did not reflect Israel's positions.
Spielman said Israeli intelligence found Hamas had been rearming and recruiting since the October ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump.
An Israeli official said Israel would not withdraw forces under the plan without verifying Hamas disarmament.
Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli attacks killed at least 13 people on Sunday after Hamas's announcement.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 08:11:31 UTC.
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A spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the version of the Gaza framework made public does not reflect Israel's positions.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 07:40:07 UTC.
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A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had conveyed concerns to the United States about the Gaza plan.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 August 2026 at 07:32:33 UTC.
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An Israeli political source told AFP there would be no withdrawal from current Israeli military lines unless Hamas underwent genuine disarmament.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir denounced the agreement as unacceptable.
Nickolay Mladenov said implementation and verification had to be real and that withdrawal must move in step with decommissioning.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the deal but warned that verifying Hamas's compliance would be a significant challenge.
A diplomatic source said the roadmap would include decommissioning all weapons and eliminating tunnels, arms depots and weapons production facilities.
Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes killed at least four people, including two children, on Thursday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 15:03:11 UTC.
Update
Several Gazans reacted to Hamas's acceptance of the plan with a mix of hope, mistrust and caution.
Displaced teacher Mohammed Hamdouna said he would not believe the war was ending until crossings opened and aid and temporary shelters entered Gaza.
Taxi driver Ahmed Aal said he did not trust Israel to honour agreements.
Other displaced Gazans said they would judge the plan by whether crossings open, aid enters and reconstruction begins.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 10:10:52 UTC.
Update
An Israeli political source told AFP the proposal did not “satisfactorily” address Israeli demands for full demilitarisation of Gaza.
The Israeli political source said Gaza did not come up in this week's meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Ghazi Hamad said Israel would not intervene in the disarmament process and that the National Committee for Administration of Gaza would handle the task.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 06:41:05 UTC.
Update
The text of the deal has not been released publicly.
Ghazi Hamad said Hamas would not implement the agreement if Israel did not implement its obligations.
A diplomatic source told AFP the plan would create a process to eliminate tunnels, weapons depots and weapons production facilities.
The Gaza health ministry said at least 1,214 Palestinians have been killed since the October ceasefire, and the United Nations considers the ministry's figures reliable.
Hamad said talks on implementation details and a timetable could take about 14 days or longer.
Hamas accused Israel of repeated ceasefire violations, including airstrikes, firing on civilians and advancing the Yellow Line.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 04:58:31 UTC.
Update
Hamas said Friday it agreed to a deal to end the war with Israel, including provisions on its weapons and Israel's gradual withdrawal from Gaza.
Trump's Board of Peace said Hamas had agreed to a detailed roadmap for the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire.
The Board of Peace said the National Committee for Administration of Gaza would soon begin a phased transition toward full authority.
Nickolay Mladenov said implementation and verification must be real and that withdrawal must move in lockstep with decommissioning.
Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News said Cairo is set to host a meeting soon of Gaza truce mediators focused on the second phase of the ceasefire plan.
Health officials said Israeli strikes killed at least four people, including two children, on Thursday despite the October ceasefire.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 03:01:45 UTC.
Update
Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad said the agreement followed about six months of negotiations.
Hamad said implementation details and a timetable would be discussed with mediators and could take about 14 days or longer.
Hamas officials said the National Committee for Administration of Gaza would catalogue and store weapons and be the only body authorised to retain, store or control weapons in Gaza.
Hamad said other armed militias must also be dismantled.
Hamas earlier this month announced the dissolution of its Gaza governing body, clearing the way for the committee to implement civilian rule.
A senior Hamas official said weapons cataloguing would coincide with a gradual Israeli withdrawal leading to complete withdrawal.
The item says Israeli forces currently hold more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 01:24:46 UTC.
Update
Senior Hamas officials said the deal includes provisions on the group's weapons and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Ghazi Hamad said the weapons issue is tied to Israeli withdrawal, deployment of the National Committee and reconstruction work.
Hamad said Israel would not intervene in disarmament and that the National Committee would handle the task.
A Hamas official said the group expects mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure Israel complies with the deal.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 00:36:51 UTC.
Update
A diplomatic source said there would be no exceptions for weapons or people under the proposed disarmament roadmap.
The diplomatic source said the roadmap would create a process to eliminate tunnels, weapons depots and weapons production facilities.
The diplomatic source said all heavy and light weapons would be under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, with International Stabilization Force support.
The diplomatic source said a verification mechanism would check compliance by each side.
A Hamas source said the movement was waiting for Israel's response to amendments it had submitted to mediators.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 00:14:38 UTC.
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A Hamas official said a Palestinian technocratic committee would supervise the storing of the group's arms.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 00:09:36 UTC.
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Hamas officials said the group expects mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure that Israel complies with the deal's terms.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 23:57:21 UTC.
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Hamas officials said a deal had been agreed on the group's arms and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 23:47:11 UTC.
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Hamas officials said they expected mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure Israel sticks to the deal.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 23:49:15 UTC.
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State-linked Al-Qahera News reported that Cairo would soon host a meeting of Gaza truce mediators to discuss implementing the second phase of the ceasefire plan.
The reported mediator meeting date was not specified.
A diplomatic source said the roadmap would include eliminating tunnels, weapons depots and weapons production facilities, with weapons under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza in coordination with the International Stabilization Force.
A Hamas source said amendments concerned two articles of the roadmap, including weapons provisions where some points were removed and alternatives proposed.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 23:34:06 UTC.
Update
Hamas officials confirmed that a deal had been reached with Israel.
Hamas officials said a statement would follow soon.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 23:23:59 UTC.
Update
Trump said the Board of Peace reached the agreement for what he called the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.
Trump said disarmament would take place in phases.
Trump said Israeli forces would withdraw as disarmament is completed.
Trump said the International Stabilization Force would work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 22:47:01 UTC.
Update
Donald Trump announced an agreement for what he called the complete disarmament of Hamas.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 22:37:20 UTC.
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Donald Trump said Israel will withdraw from Gaza after Hamas disarms.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 22:40:50 UTC.
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An Israeli political source told AFP the proposed deal does not satisfactorily address Israeli demands.
The Israeli political source said Israel demands Hamas's complete disarmament, removal of weapons from Gaza and full demilitarisation of the Strip as a precondition for any process.
The Israeli political source said the army would not carry out any partial withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas is disarmed and the Strip is demilitarised.
The Israeli political source said Gaza did not come up in this week's Washington meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 16:58:00 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The full text of the agreement has not been released publicly.
The supplied material says the board's latest position appears to contradict Mladenov's Friday comment, but the practical interpretation of the terms remains disputed.
Source
AFP news report published on .