What you need to know

  • Donald Trump says his Board of Peace has reached a 'historic' agreement on Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups disarming
  • The US president says the step is a 'major milestone' in implementing his 20-point plan for Gaza
  • The announcement comes after negotiators from mediating nations Egypt, Qatar and Turkey met in Cairo on Thursday to discuss Hamas' disarmament

*Here is a roundup of the main developments of the conflict in Iran and the Middle East on Friday, July 31 2026: *

Trump: Board of Peace reaches deal over Hamas disarmament

US President Donald Trump has said that the Board of Peace has reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas, as well as other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the "historic" deal is a "monumental step toward lasting peace and security."

"This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people. At the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks," the US president said.

Trump said the deal represented a "major milestone" in implementing his 20-Point Plan to end the conflict in Gaza and rebuild the war-torn enclave.

The US president explained that the agreement would be carried out in "carefully structured phases".

"As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors," he said.

Trump announced the agreement the day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel from a visit to the US, during which he met with the US leader at the White House.

The US president also thanked mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for making "this historic breakthrough possible."

Earlier on Thursday, DW reported that negotiators meeting in Cairo had agreed on a 15-point roadmap on Hamas' disarmament, although amendments to the proposal were still being made.

While Trump has touted an agreement, there has been no official confirmation from Israel or from any of the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

Welcome to our coverage

US President Donald Trump has announced what he is calling a "historic agreement" by his Board of Peace over the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

The US leader says the deal, reached after negotiations this week with mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, will see the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave and a new Palestinian government and police force set up.

Stay tuned as we bring you more on this story and the other major developments from the Middle East