Hamas agrees to conditional disarmament as US and Israeli officials weigh response
Hamas says it will relinquish weapons only if Israel fulfills its cease-fire obligations, while US, European and Israeli leaders express cautious optimism and opposition.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an agreement had been reached for Hamas to disarm in Gaza, a step he described as historic. Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad told CNN the group would not begin weapons-related steps until Israel implements commitments under the October cease-fire plan, including withdrawing troops to the so-called Yellow Line, halting attacks on Palestinians and allowing a surge of humanitarian aid. > "The agreement is a package. We will not begin any weapons-related steps until Israel implements these commitments," Hamad said.
European officials welcomed the development but stressed the need for concrete actions. Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul called the news hopeful and said Berlin is ready to provide humanitarian aid and open additional crossings. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc stands ready to support next steps, while UK minister Louise Haigh called progress "extremely welcome" but noted that Israel’s response is still pending.
An Israeli official reiterated that no Israeli troop withdrawal from the Yellow Line will occur without genuine Hamas disarmament. Members of Israel’s right-wing coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Religious Zionist minister Orit Strouk, publicly rejected the agreement, calling it dangerous and insisting on Hamas’s destruction.
In parallel, Iranian forces launched projectiles at Kuwait’s Ahmad al-Jaber air base, claiming retaliation for recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island. Kuwait’s army reported intercepting the drones, and a military spokesperson said the targets were destroyed without casualties.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned that Iran-approved transits through the Strait of Hormuz could resume only after stability returns, noting that only five vessels passed the strait on Thursday. The United States has imposed sanctions on two Iranian firms linked to the waterway.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with local health authorities reporting over 1,200 Palestinian deaths since the October cease-fire and ongoing injuries from Israeli strikes in northern and southern Gaza.