In brief
Months of talks culminated in Hamas accepting the Board of Peace plan to inventory and store its weapons under Palestinian oversight—potentially the first credible step toward ending the nearly three‑year Gaza war. The agreement follows new leadership under Khalil al‑Hayya and could allow displaced families to return home. Yet the bold move faces skepticism from Gaza residents, who doubt the pact will translate into tangible relief.
After months of marathon talks, Hamas has, for the first time, accepted the Board of Peace plan to completely disarm in Gaza.
The proposal requires inventorying and storing its remaining heavy weapons under Palestinian supervision, potentially removing the biggest hurdle to advancing the Trump‑backed peace initiative.
A new leadership under Khalil al‑Hayya—elected after internal elections—has now made what officials say is the most consequential decision in the movement’s history, driven by the dire humanitarian conditions that affect more than two million Palestinians in Gaza.
A senior Hamas negotiator told the BBC the talks were "long and extremely difficult", insisting on "inventorying and storing weapons" under Palestinian oversight rather than handing them over to Israel.
It remains too early to judge whether the agreement will be fully implemented or honoured by all parties.
Still, if it holds, the deal could mark the first credible step toward ending the war and opening the way for a broader political process.
In Gaza, the announcement has drawn little public enthusiasm; many residents are sceptical, given past failed ceasefires and collapsed agreements.
They emphasise that the real question is whether the deal will bring lasting relief, allow families to return home, and end the violence.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials warn that confidence in both Hamas and Israel remains low due to repeated breaches of previous agreements.
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