Trump: Hamas appears ready to disarm

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that current indications "appear to be leading to the disarmament of the Hamas movement," as the second phase of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement began. However, this statement was quickly met with opposing and explicit statements from the movement's leaders, who categorically denied any commitment or readiness to abandon their weapons, reflecting the fragility and political and security complexities of the upcoming phase.

Trump's remarks came during a cabinet meeting at the White House, where he spoke confidently about post-ceasefire developments, saying: "Many said they would never disarm, but it looks like they will." The US President praised what he described as "tangible cooperation" following the recovery of the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili, considering this step to be "the closure of a highly sensitive humanitarian file" and the opening of a new door in the path to settlement.

This statement coincided with the US administration's official announcement of transitioning to what it calls "Phase Two" of its Gaza plan, a phase that goes beyond solidifying the ceasefire to addressing the core issues of the conflict, primarily the disarmament of Hamas, restructuring the security situation in the Strip, and initiating a large-scale reconstruction process under international supervision.

According to American officials, Phase Two involves Hamas handing over its heavy and medium weapons under international supervision, followed by the deployment of a multinational security force to maintain security and prevent the return of armed factions to military action. The plan also includes the establishment of a Washington-backed transitional body, named the "Peace Council," to oversee the administration of Gaza, coordinate aid, and reconstruction, until a final governance formula is reached.

However, this American optimism did not find a similar echo within the Hamas movement. Prominent officials in the movement affirmed, in statements to regional media, that the issue of disarmament is "completely rejected" and "non-negotiable," stressing that weapons represent the "essence of resistance" and a fundamental guarantee in confronting Israel. They added that any talk of a political settlement cannot begin with disarming Palestinians of their means of defense, but rather with ending the occupation and achieving national rights.

Hamas accused the US administration of attempting to impose political and security realities by force and threats, instead of reaching balanced understandings. Its leaders considered that Washington is "confusing temporary calm with political surrender," which the movement will not accept, according to them.

In contrast, Trump and his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, have repeatedly hinted at harsh measures if Hamas refuses to comply with the disarmament demand. Witkoff had previously stated that the movement would face a "heavy price" if it violated the understandings, affirming the readiness of the United States and its allies to take direct steps to enforce disarmament by force if necessary.

Although the US administration has not revealed details of the implementation mechanisms or the nature of potential "punitive measures," observers suggest that these could include renewed military pressure, targeted strikes, and tightened economic sanctions, in coordination with Israel and regional partners. Washington believes that any post-war arrangements will remain fragile unless Hamas's military capabilities are fully dismantled.

The proposed "Peace Council," in turn, has raised Palestinian and regional reservations. While Washington says it will include international figures and technocratic experts to manage civil affairs, critics argue that excluding Hamas without a consensual political alternative could exacerbate Palestinian division and lack popular legitimacy within Gaza.

Regionally, Egypt and Qatar, two of the most prominent mediators, adopted a cautious stance, welcoming continued calm without confirming claims of disarmament. European diplomats also called for not anticipating results, stressing that political statements are not enough without verifiable practical steps on the ground.

So far, there have been no tangible indications that Hamas has begun to surrender its weapons or dismantle its military structure, despite relative progress in delivering humanitarian aid and initiating preliminary consultations on reconstruction.

Trump, however, affirmed that "the momentum is moving in the right direction," considering that Phase Two could constitute a historic turning point for Gaza and the entire region. But the gap between American rhetoric and Hamas's categorical denial leaves the scene open to multiple possibilities, ranging from a forced settlement to a new explosion of conflict.

According to experts, Trump's optimism about Hamas's disarmament reflects an American desire to market Phase Two as a political and security achievement, rather than an accurate description of reality. Previous experiences confirm that disarming ideological movements without a clear political horizon or national guarantees often ends in failure. Moreover, military pressure alone may reproduce a cycle of violence, instead of dismantling its root causes.

In contrast, others believe that Hamas is using public denial as a bargaining chip, to maintain its internal cohesion and avoid appearing defeated. But continued ambiguity may put the movement in difficult choices, especially if American pressure is accompanied by broader regional consensus. In the absence of a comprehensive political settlement, Hamas's weapons will remain a symbol of a conflict whose features have not yet been decided.