Hamas Agreed to Disarm. Why Did Israel Reject the Deal?

For months, Hamas’s disarmament has been the biggest sticking point in the stalled Gaza peace process. Major aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan are contingent on Hamas giving up its weapons, and Gaza has remained in a painful limbo since a cease-fire began last October due to the impasse.

For a moment last week, it looked like change might be on the horizon as Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed framework to lay down its arms. Last Thursday, Trump hailed the agreement, which was orchestrated by his Board of Peace and designed to bring about the full implementation of his 20-point plan, on social media as “HISTORIC” and “a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.” The next day, Trump said that Israel was “very happy” with the agreement.

For months, Hamas’s disarmament has been the biggest sticking point in the stalled Gaza peace process. Major aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan are contingent on Hamas giving up its weapons, and Gaza has remained in a painful limbo since a cease-fire began last October due to the impasse.

For a moment last week, it looked like change might be on the horizon as Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed framework to lay down its arms. Last Thursday, Trump hailed the agreement, which was orchestrated by his Board of Peace and designed to bring about the full implementation of his 20-point plan, on social media as “HISTORIC” and “a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.” The next day, Trump said that Israel was “very happy” with the agreement.