First the triumphal announcement by American President Donald Trump, then the stakes and clarifications. Let’s talk about Gaza. The tycoon announced, with a post on Truth, that an agreement – defined as historic – had been reached with Hamas for the disarmament and transfer of political and military control of Gaza to a Palestinian technical government. An American official then explained to the press that the Palestinian group will lay down its weapons in exchange for the withdrawal of the Jewish state from the Strip. The clarifications from the other party arrived immediately afterwards. A Hamas member confirmed to Al Jazeera that an agreement had been reached, but also said that the Palestinian group would not take “any steps regarding disarmament before Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip”. We understand better what is happening.
Trump’s announcement
It was Trump who spoke about the agreement. “Today the Board of Peace – he wrote in Truth – reached a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step towards lasting peace and security”. And he added: “Once disarmament is complete, Israeli forces will withdraw and the international stabilization force will collaborate with a new Palestinian police force to ensure the security of Gaza, for the benefit of its residents and neighboring countries.”
The agreement, according to Trump, “represents a fundamental step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government, which will work closely with the Board of Peace to support the Palestinian people. At the same time, Israel will get the security it deserves, as Gaza will no longer be used as a base for terrorist attacks.”
Hamas’ version
The disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israel would be the turning point for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Strip.
Hamas leaders confirmed that an agreement had been reached. The point, however, lies in the timing, on who will begin to “backtrack” first between Israel and Hamas. “Hamas remains firm on its national objectives, represented by the protection of the rights of the Palestinian people. The issue of weapons is linked to other issues, such as Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and reconstruction. We will not take any action if the occupying forces do not respect their obligations under the agreement,” Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas negotiating delegation, said in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Then there are a series of other unknowns, starting with the composition of the Palestinian institutions that will govern Gaza. It is also unclear which countries will form the international stabilization force or when it will be deployed. Trump did not even say who should supervise and control disarmament, how it will be verified and what the timing of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza will be.