Hamas has agreed to disarm and hand control of Gaza to international troops under a new deal announced by former US President Donald Trump, sparking hopes of a ceasefire in the long-running conflict.

Deal Details

According to a senior Hamas official, the group has agreed to the Board of Peace's plan, which would see Hamas completely disarm itself and hand political and security control in Gaza over to international troops, a new Palestinian police force, and a transitional government body of nonpartisan experts.

The deal has been met with a cautious response from Israel, with officials refusing to comment on the matter.

Historic Breakthrough or Unworkable Plan?

Analysts have welcomed the news as a potential step towards ending the Gaza war, but many have questioned the practicality of the plan.

The Board of Peace, a US-led initiative, has been working on the deal for several months, and Trump has hailed it as a "historic" breakthrough.

However, the plan faces significant challenges, including the need to persuade other Palestinian groups to cooperate and the logistical hurdles of implementing a new security framework in Gaza.

The deal also raises questions about the role of international troops in Gaza, and how they will be deployed.

Background to the Conflict

The Gaza war has been ongoing since 2007, with multiple outbreaks of violence and a long-standing humanitarian crisis.

The conflict is rooted in a deeper dispute over Israeli settlement expansion and the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their ancestral homes.

Despite numerous attempts at a ceasefire, a lasting peace deal has yet to be reached.

Implications for the Region

The potential for a ceasefire in Gaza has significant implications for the wider region, including Egypt and Jordan, which have been impacted by the conflict.

A ceasefire could also pave the way for renewed efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been stalled for years.