Trump says Hamas set to disarm in Gaza deal progress

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Hamas would give up weapons, a step the have not confirmed, in what would be a major step forward in a fragile ceasefire with Israel.

“A lot of people said they’ll never disarm. It looks like they’re going to disarm,” Trump told a cabinet meeting.

Trump hailed cooperation with Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the United States, after Israeli forces brought back the remains from the last hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili.

“They did help us with those bodies, getting them back, and that family is so grateful,” Trump said.

Trump had asked for an update on the Middle East from his roving special envoy Steve Witkoff, sitting in the side of the room as cabinet members and media listened.

READ MORE: Trump says ‘we will disarm’ Hamas, urges return of Gaza bodies

An upbeat Witkoff voiced high confidence at Hamas following through.

“We’ve got the terrorists out of there and they’re going to demilitarize. They will because they have no choice,” Witkoff said.

“They’re going to give it up.  They’re going to give up the AK-47s,” he told Trump.

Hamas has said that the return of Gvili’s body showed its commitment to the ceasefire but it has so far not surrendered its weapons.

The group has repeatedly said disarmament is a red line, but it has also suggested it would be open to handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing authority.

Disarmament is a key part in the second phrase of the ceasefire plan sealed in October.

A Palestinian technocratic committee has also been set up with a goal of taking over governance in the battered Gaza Strip.