The United States is seeking an agreement under a proposed plan to end the war in which Israeli troops would withdraw from Gaza if Hamas surrenders its weapons. The Al Jazeera report was published on August 4, 2026. The central obstacle is the sequence of the two steps: Hamas disarmament and an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas says it is prepared to discuss disarmament, but insists Israeli forces must leave Gaza first. It says discussions on the weapons-surrender process could then follow. Israeli officials take the opposite position, saying Hamas must be fully disarmed before Israeli troops leave. They say disarmament means giving up weapons, and that anything less is unacceptable.

US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan calls for an international stabilization force to assume responsibility for Gaza’s security after Israeli forces withdraw. The proposal could bring a major change to Gaza’s security arrangements by replacing Israeli forces with an international force. However, the plan’s key element remains stalled between the two positions, with the final agreement hinging on whether the steps occur in sequence or simultaneously.