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Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to a deal to end the war with Israel, a plan that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The announcement, made by US President Donald Trump, was hailed by him as a "major milestone" and a critical step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza. However, Israel has yet to officially comment on the agreement, and the deal's terms have drawn a frosty reception from some Israeli politicians.

Coverage Comparison

The agreement was reported by multiple outlets, with most focusing on the key elements: Hamas's concession on weapons and the phased Israeli withdrawal. Africa News and France 24 — English described the deal in neutral terms, attributing it to Trump's efforts. Al Jazeera and Dawn, while also reporting the core facts, adopted a more critical tone toward Israel, emphasizing the human cost of the conflict and the opposition within Israel to the withdrawal.

Al Jazeera reported that many Israelis oppose the deal and the potential withdrawal from Gaza, citing polls showing widespread support for the expulsion of Palestinians. Dawn, in an opinionated piece, questioned whether Israel would honor its commitment to withdraw, given past precedent and the upcoming Israeli election. Both outlets highlighted the death toll in Gaza, with Al Jazeera and Dawn reporting over 73,000 Palestinians killed since the October 7, 2023, attack.

France 24 — English, in one of its reports, added that at least 1,214 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire, a figure not mentioned by other outlets.

Key Claims

  • Hamas's agreement: Hamas agreed to a deal that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, as reported by Africa News, Al Jazeera, Dawn, and France 24 — English.
  • Weapons handover: The weapons will be surrendered to the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian technocratic body formed under Trump's Board of Peace. Hamas officials told AFP that the committee would oversee the storage of the movement's weapons.
  • Israeli withdrawal: The deal stipulates the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, with Trump saying Israeli forces would withdraw "as disarmament is completed."
  • Board of Peace: The Board of Peace confirmed the agreement and will oversee its implementation, as reported by Africa News and France 24 — English.
  • Israeli response: Israel has yet to officially comment on the deal, but an unnamed senior Israeli official told reporters that there would be no withdrawal from Israel's current positions before what it determines to be "the genuine disarmament of Hamas." Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir denounced the agreement as "unacceptable," saying it was "tantamount to agreeing to Hamas organising for the next massacre."
  • Casualties: Over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the October 7, 2023, attack, according to Al Jazeera and Dawn. France 24 — English reported at least 1,214 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the ceasefire.
  • Hamas's rationale: Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas's negotiating team, said the movement was making "concessions for the sake of our people in the Gaza Strip, to save them from killing and displacement." He added that if Israel does not implement the agreement, neither will Hamas.

Perspectives

Hamas: The group says it has agreed to disarm as a concession to save the Palestinian people in Gaza from further killing and displacement. Hamas expects mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure Israel complies with the deal's terms, including the withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel (unofficial): While the Israeli government has not officially commented, an unnamed senior official stated that there will be no withdrawal from current positions unless Hamas undergoes genuine disarmament. Some Israeli politicians, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have rejected the deal outright.

United States: President Trump has praised the agreement as a "major milestone" and claimed that Israel is "very happy" about it, despite the lack of official Israeli confirmation.