Trump Says Israel Backs Gaza Disarmament Deal

US President Donald Trump said Israel was very happy with an agreement reached by his so-called Peace Council under which Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip would be completely disarmed.

“We do have an understanding with Israel. Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us, and they've been very good”, Trump said. He acknowledged, however, that the situation remained highly complex and that the process could involve ups and downs.

Trump hailed the deal as a breakthrough, saying nobody had thought it would be possible to disarm Hamas.

“It's a big step for the Middle East, and people are really impressed by it, and they're surprised by it”, he said.

On Thursday, Trump called the deal “a major milestone in the implementation of the Trump 20-Point Plan” to end Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.

According to the president, the agreement will be implemented in stages. Israeli forces will withdraw as disarmament progresses, while an International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to secure the enclave.

(Reuters, bak)