Hamas appears ready to disarm, Trump says
Palestinian Hamas fighters secure the area as Egyptian workers accompanied by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) search for the remains of the last Israeli hostage in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, Dec. 8, 2025. (AFP Photo)


U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Hamas appears prepared to give up its weapons under the next phase of the Gaza cease-fire, signaling movement in negotiations aimed at stabilizing the fragile truce.

"A lot of people said they'll never disarm. It looks like they're going to disarm,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting, following a briefing from his special envoy Steve Witkoff on continuing talks between the Palestinian group and Israel.

Washington has been pushing to secure commitments for the cease-fire’s second phase, which includes steps on governance, security arrangements and humanitarian access. U.S. officials say disarmament is a central component of efforts to prevent renewed escalation and allow reconstruction efforts in the devastated enclave.