Hamas ties Gaza disarmament to Israeli withdrawal and aid flow

Hamas said Friday it would begin disarming under a U.S.-brokered Gaza deal only if Israel halts strikes, withdraws its forces and allows more goods and aid into the enclave. President Donald Trump had described the plan as an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, with Israeli troops leaving as the process is completed. A copy of the agreement verified by The Associated Press says weapons held by the Hamas-run police would be handed to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a technocratic body backed by the United States. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad also tied the surrender of heavier weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state. Israel has not officially commented, leaving major uncertainty over whether the phased plan can move ahead.