US and Board of Peace officials brief reporters on Gaza demilitarization deal, reveal that Tehran attempted to sabotage negotiations and warn that a rejection from Israel would disappoint Trump.
US administration officials and members of the Gaza Board of Peace spoke with reporters on Thursday night regarding the historic agreement announced by President Donald Trump, under which Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip will disarm. Senior administration officials emphasized the close coordination with Jerusalem throughout the negotiation process, saying that the Americans coordinated “very closely" with Israel at every step. The officials acknowledged that the Israelis were extremely skeptical, but added “they are not being asked to do much right now".
They further stated that this agreement is not based on trust, but on fulfilling conditions on the ground and added that Washington will ensure that Israel honors its commitments as well. At the same time, a senior US official noted that Israel was dissatisfied with the decision to include Turkey and Qatar on the Board of Peace executive. Despite this, he maintained that both nations - alongside Egypt - played a vital role in advancing the process and exerting heavy pressure on Hamas to reach terms. A US official added that "if Israel refuses the agreement, President Trump will be disappointed."
A Gaza Board of Peace representative noted that, for the first time, Hamas and all other factions have agreed to accept the framework in full alongside its implementation plan. The official stated that there will be an “absolute monopoly" on weapons, and that Hamas will completely step down from governing Gaza. According to the official, by the end of the process, the transitional government established by the Board of Peace will hold complete control over weaponry in the Strip.
American officials clarified that the planned technocratic government will serve as "an alternative to both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas." They also revealed that Tehran attempted to derail negotiations: "Iran tried to convince Hamas to reject the deal, but the US managed to overcome that." (Ed note: First, "President Trump will be disappointed." REALLY! Turkey truly does hate Israel, and Qatar hates Israel, and is perhaps a bigger financial supporter of Hamas than Iran is. Second, Hamas is playing the Hezbollah game of, "you get Israel to stop hitting us after we hit them, and make them completely leave Gaza, then we may talk." And of course, what ever happened to Hamas who was supposed to disarm? Trump is being played and Israel is being thrown under that bus.) (Read More)
