Hamas says the Gaza Strip must begin with the end of the ‘aggression’

Talks on the future of Gaza must begin with a complete halt to Israeli “aggression”, Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said after US President Donald Trump’s peace council met for the first time.

“Any political process or any arrangement under discussion regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and our Palestinian people must begin with a complete cessation of aggression, the lifting of the blockade and the guarantee of the legitimate national rights of our people, first and foremost their right to freedom and self-determination,” Hamas said in a statement on Thursday (February 20, 26).

Mr Trump’s board met for its inaugural meeting in Washington on Thursday (Feb 19, 2026), as several countries pledged money and personnel to rebuild the Palestinian territories after more than four months of a fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must disarm before any reconstruction can begin.

“We have agreed with our ally, the US, that the reconstruction of Gaza will not happen before the demilitarization of Gaza,” Netanyahu said.

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The Israeli leader did not attend the Washington meeting but was represented by his foreign minister, Gideon Saar.

Trump said several countries in the Gulf have pledged more than seven billion dollars to rebuild the territory.

Major General Jasper Jeffers, the unit’s American chief, said Muslim-majority Indonesia would play the role of deputy commander in the new international stabilization force.

The plan for Gaza was approved by the UN Security Council in November, Mr. Trump said five countries, including Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania, have committed to providing troops.