Since the start of the Iran war, the first-ever formal meeting was conducted between Hamas and the “Board of Peace” during the second week of March. Israel also pledged to open the only pedestrian crossing between Gaza and Egypt during the month, but their promises have always been fabricated.
However, this announcement is a direct result of the meeting between Hamas and the United States. US President Donald Trump described the Gaza plan as the flagship initiative for the revitalization of the Middle East. However, the Middle East has also been turned into flames by the same President and Israel.
Recent Developments in Gaza
On the other hand, Hamas representatives clearly intimated to the Board of Peace that they would back away from their promises if Israel continued to oppress people and maintain restrictions imposed during the Iran war.
One of the most crucial events in Gaza is the closure of the Rafah border – the only crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Although the border was partially reopened for a limited supply of goods, the sole pedestrian crossing was closed. People in the West Bank, as well as in Gaza, are still under constant threat of being brutally killed, as observed during the ongoing genocide.
The Recent Meeting between Hamas and the Board of Peace
During the latest meetup between Hamas and the United States-led Board of Peace, a lot of demands were put in front of Hamas. One of the most prominent demands is that Hamas would be forced to allow the destruction of its vast Gaza tunnel network. This network is the primary source of Hamas operations and self-defence.
US President Donald Trump also put a plan to disarm Hamas completely and expected them to lay down their weapons in stages over the next eight months. A US-backed committee of Palestinian technocrats will be taking control of the overall security of Gaza. It is also planned that Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza once they verify that Gaza is completely free from weaponry.
Dismantling the entire military structure of Hamas is another big demand put by the Board of Peace. The tunnel network is not just being used for operational scenarios, but it is also being used for aid supply, movement under blockade, and other defensive operations.
The Perspective of Hamas
Hamas, on the other hand, aptly understands the situation and the hollow promises of Israel and the United States. It has not publicly commented on the proposed disarmament plan.
The proposed Trump plan includes two primary components: a 12-point document including steps to implement Trump’s plan and a five-stage timeline. This timeline consists of plans for Hamas to surrender over the next eight months. Hamas adequately knows about the consequences if it leaves the field.
One Authority, One Law, and One Weapon
This is the motto of the document proposed by Donald Trump in his peace plan. It also states that only the individuals verified by the NCAG will be allowed to possess weapons. Resultantly, all armed factions need to cease military activities in all capacities.
This disarmament process will also be overseen by a weapons collection verification committee. In a nutshell, this motto clearly defines the motto of the US to completely take over Gaza. There should not be anything except the indirect rule of the United States and the direct rule of Israel.
The Waves of the Iran War
The war involving Iran has not brought any real pause to Gaza; instead, increased assault has been observed. Israeli strikes have continued across the territory even as the wider regional conflict unfolded.
The current framework for Gaza traces back to an October ceasefire, after which Israel retained control over more than half of the enclave. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Gaza’s population, over two million people, has been pushed into a densely packed area still under Hamas administration.
In the weeks before tensions with Iran escalated, the plan appeared to be gaining ground. There were renewed discussions around reconstruction efforts and even the possible reopening of the Rafah crossing, raising cautious hopes of relief for Gaza’s population.
However, the situation on the ground has remained extremely volatile. Israeli forces (IDF) have continued their operations, including recent strikes that killed at least 12 people, among them several police personnel. Israel has maintained that such actions are carried out in response to threats or attacks linked to Hamas.
Officials familiar with negotiations in Cairo suggest that Hamas views the regional conflict as a turning point. There is a belief within the group that Israel may be using the Iran war as an opportunity to step back from earlier commitments made under the Gaza plan, which is a claim Israel strongly denies.
Moreover, a key element of the proposal has been the question of disarmament. The idea centers on Hamas giving up its weapons in exchange for guarantees such as amnesty, with the expectation that this would open the door to reconstruction and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Even so, it remains unclear whether this issue will be formally addressed or if it is just a form of manipulation, as Israel has been doing for decades.
