Explainer: What to know about Gaza disarmament pact

CAIRO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the so-called Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, calling it a key step toward a new phase of governance in the Palestinian enclave.

According to Trump, the agreement would be implemented in phases. Once disarmament is completed, Israeli forces would withdraw, while an International Stabilization Force (ISF) and a new Palestinian police force would assume responsibility for Gaza's security.

But what exactly has been agreed? Who will govern Gaza in the future? Does it mean the Gaza conflict will end?

WHAT WE KNOW

According to Egypt's state TV, Hamas and Palestinian factions have agreed on a plan to implement the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, including a gradual process for inventorying and storing their weapons.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) would oversee and implement the gradual and sequential process of inventorying and storing weapons, the report said, citing an informed Egyptian source.

The start of the weapons inventory process would be linked to the committee's entry into the Gaza Strip and the deployment of the ISF, it said.

The agreement also includes the committee's entry into Gaza, the deployment of international forces and early recovery efforts in the enclave, the source said.

Hamas and the Palestinian factions had informed the mediators of their approval of the plan, while a meeting involving the mediators would be held soon in Cairo to reaffirm all parties' commitment to implementing the agreement, it added.

HOW DEAL COMES

In late September 2025, the Trump administration unveiled the 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

The plan outlines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarized Gaza, and international supervision of Gaza's reconstruction and governance after the end of the conflict. Hamas will be excluded from the governance structure.

After intense negotiations in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the plan in early October 2025, which envisages a phased Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of mechanisms for prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid delivery.

The newly reached agreement is part of the second phase of the plan, launched in January by the Trump administration, shifting the focus from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.

The second phase led to the NCAG foundation and the start of the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel, according to U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff.

WHAT'S ISF

Under Trump's plan, the United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to deploy in Gaza.

The ISF, set to be a long-term internal security solution, will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas.

In November 2025, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to endorse the creation of the ISF. On Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet approved the entry of the ISF into Gaza.

According to a senior Israeli official, the ISF will receive legal immunity under Israeli law and operate in coordination with the Israeli military outside its control zones.

WHO WILL GOVERN

Under Trump's plan, Hamas and other factions will not have any role in the governance of Gaza. The NCAG will govern the enclave and be responsible for the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people of Gaza.

Hamas announced in early July the transfer of the enclave's administration to the committee, headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, a veteran engineer and former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority.

According to the White House, the committee will be overseen and supervised by a new international transitional body, the "Board of Peace," chaired by Trump.

The board will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform program and can securely and effectively take control of Gaza.

The reported agreement may mark an important turning point, but a lasting settlement depends on whether the parties can implement the commitments and resolve deeper disputes over security, governance and political legitimacy. ■