EU says Gaza disarmament deal's success hinges on full commitment from all parties

BRUSSELS — The European Union said Friday that the success of a deal on Hamas's disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza depends on full commitment from all sides. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called Hamas's approval of the agreement "an important step" but said it would succeed only if several conditions are met, including verification of the group's commitments and a full Israeli pullback from the territory. In a social media post, Kallas said the EU stood ready to support the next steps needed to secure implementation of the deal, adding that the process would depend on the stance of the parties involved. Hamas had announced earlier that it was responding "with responsibility and a positive approach" to negotiations on the second phase of the agreement and to mediators' proposals. The group said implementation hinged on Israel's commitment to halt military operations and deliver on the first phase of the deal. It also tied the file on heavy weapons to a set of conditions, including an end to Israeli strikes, a withdrawal from Gaza, the establishment of an administrative governing body and the deployment of an international force. No further details on the timeline for implementation or the next round of negotiations were immediately available.