Hamas confirmed Friday that it will begin disarming as part of a potential breakthrough aimed at ending the war in Gaza, though significant obstacles persist. Concurrently, while there were no U.S. strikes on Iran overnight, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard reported striking two additional tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Kuwait stated it intercepted drones.
Here are the most important developments across the Middle East today:
Gaza: Hamas Disarmament Linked to Israeli Withdrawal Deal
Hamas announced its willingness to disarm as part of a deal attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump, which also mandates that Israel cease strikes and withdraw from Gaza.
Hamas further stated that surrendering its heavy weapons, a later step in the process, is conditional upon the establishment of a Palestinian state—a condition vehemently opposed by Israel’s current government.
Israel has not officially commented on this arrangement, which stems from a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced last October. That prior agreement stipulated Hamas would disarm and transfer authority to an independent Palestinian administration, alongside Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force.
However, progress halted; Israel maintained that all progress depended on Hamas disarming, while Hamas accused Israel of violating the pact by continuing regular strikes in Gaza.
The war in Gaza commenced following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 73,000 Palestinians, including those fatalities occurring since the ceasefire.
The Associated Press is monitoring the advancement of Trump’s plan to conclude the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Latest developments on the Iran conflict
No U.S. strikes were reported in Iran on Friday. Iran fired drones at Kuwait, a Gulf nation hosting U.S. forces, and claimed it also targeted oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments that has seen extensive closure due to fighting.
Elsewhere in the region:
Becatoros contributed to this report from Athens, Greece