Can Hamas and Israel agree on what disarmament means for both?

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 AUGUST 2026 —

Headline: Can Hamas and Israel agree on what disarmament means for both? Lead: On 30 July, US President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Hamas have produced an agreement on the group’s full disarmament. Under the plan, Israel should accept withdrawal and halt its attacks in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against the plan, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current positions before Hamas fully dis Body: On 30 July, US President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Hamas have produced an agreement on the group’s full disarmament. Under the plan, Israel should accept withdrawal and halt its attacks in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against the plan, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current positions before Hamas fully disarms.

"Hamas’ position on disarmament follows months of increasing Israeli military pressure. Indeed, July was the deadliest month since the ceasefire began in October 2025, with 170 fatalities. It also recorded at least 53 air and drone strikes targeting militants, police targets, and Hamas infrastructure —the highest monthly total recorded during that period.

"The timing presents an opportunity for Hamas, which expects President Trump to increase pressure on Israel ahead of the US midterm elections in November. Agreeing to the plan helps Hamas ease Israeli military pressure as Israel's national election campaign intensifies, while transferring greater responsibility for governing Gaza to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza helps relieve Palestinian domestic pressure.

“The main obstacle is that Hamas and Israel do not agree on what disarmament means or when an Israeli withdrawal should begin. While Hamas has agreed to surrender its remaining heavy weapons as part of the wider Board of Peace plan, Israel is demanding complete disarmament. The plan also requires the disarmament of Israeli-backed groups and armed clans, extending beyond Hamas and other military factions, although consensus on who would oversee and verify the process has not yet been reached.

“The plan’s progress will depend on whether the US can maintain long-term pressure on both sides and bridge their disagreement over the sequencing of disarmament and withdrawal. The Trump’s administration pressure on Israel will likely reduce Israeli strikes against Hamas members and other militants. ACLED data records only one deadly airstrike incident targeting militants between 2 and 3 August, down from five on 1 August. However, attacks near the Yellow Line are likely to continue as long as Israeli forces remain deployed there without a clear separation from Hamas-controlled areas.”

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Not a member of the press? Speak to the team about subscription options and access. Source: ACLED Published: 2026-08-06T15:00:44.524Z Region: OSINT Topic: Economy (AI-assisted rewrite, based on the original source)

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