US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that it “looks like” Hamas would give up its weapons, a step the group has not confirmed. This would be a significant development in the fragile Gaza ceasefire with Israel.
Trump highlighted cooperation between his team and Hamas after Israeli forces had retrieved the remains of Ran Gvili, who was held captive in Gaza for some time. He praised this cooperation and noted that a grateful family appreciated it.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump received an update on the Middle East from his roving special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Witkoff expressed high confidence in Hamas adhering to the ceasefire terms and mentioned plans for disarmament as part of the second phase of the agreement sealed earlier this year.
“We’ve got the terrorists out of there and they’re going to demilitarise,” Witkoff told Trump. “They will because they have no choice, giving up their AK-47s.” Hamas has previously stated that returning Gvili’s body indicated its commitment to the ceasefire, but so far it has not surrendered its weapons.
The group has repeatedly asserted disarmament as a red line but has also suggested turning over its arms to a Palestinian governing authority. Disarmament is central to the October agreement’s second phase. A technocratic committee has been established to take over governance in the Gaza Strip, which remains severely damaged.