Hamas has agreed to a deal under which it will give up its weapons in exchange for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the group confirmed Friday. The agreement is part of the second phase of a Gaza peace plan brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The deal comes after months of war that has killed thousands and left Gaza devastated. While the agreement offers a rare glimmer of hope, analysts say it faces significant obstacles. Deep political divides, a complete lack of trust between the two sides, and the immense destruction in the territory will make carrying out the plan very complicated.
No timeline for the disarmament or troop withdrawal has been announced. The confirmation from Hamas marks the first time the group has publicly committed to giving up its arsenal as part of a negotiated settlement.