Donald Trump will be “very disappointed” if Israel does not agree to withdraw from Gaza once Hamas is disarmed.
Overnight, the US announced an agreement had been reached with Hamas for them to disarm in the Palestinian region.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote on Thursday evening: “Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY.
“This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people.”
Trump went on to say that once the disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza.
Following the announcement, a senior Hamas official told the BBC they had agreed to the plan and an official statement would be published.
However, at the time of writing, Israel has yet to comment on the plan.
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During a call for reporters after Trump’s announcement, US officials were asked how hopeful they were of Israel agreeing to withdraw from Gaza as part of the plan.
“We’re not asking Israel to do anything other than agree to the 20-point plan that they agreed to, initially. And so we’re very confident they will adhere to it,” an official responded.
If Israel decides not to withdraw as part of the 20-point plan, Trump would be “very disappointed”, the official said. The official said they believed Israel would continue to be a good partner, the BBC reports.
In recent weeks, Israeli forces have been deepening their control in Gaza, and there are serious doubts over whether Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government will agree to making any concessions towards Palestinians.
Before Trump’s post on Truth Social, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, condemned talk of Israeli forces withdrawing.
He wrote on X: “You only talk with Nazis through the crosshairs – and no other way.
“The only solution in Gaza to which Israel is willing to be a partner is encouraging emigration and destroying Hamas.”