Hamas and Palestinian groups accept draft deal on Gaza disarmament

Hamas and other Palestinian factions have accepted a draft agreement that envisions the disarmament of Gaza in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, according to the framework obtained during talks. Under the draft, a 14-day period would be granted to prepare a disarmament timetable, with the possibility of extension by decision of an international verification committee. A National Committee would be designated as the sole authority in Gaza responsible for the collection, storage and control of weapons, and would guarantee that arms are not transferred to Israel or to non-Palestinian parties. Hamas negotiation team member Ghazi Hamd said the talks were difficult and that the weapons issue was linked to Israel's withdrawal and to reconstruction. U.S. President Donald Trump said the Peace Council had reached a historic agreement and that Israeli forces would pull out once disarmament is completed. A new round of talks has begun in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein between the Hamas delegation and Egyptian intelligence officials, with mediators from Qatar and Turkey also taking part.