Lead:

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry has expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a disarmament agreement for the Gaza Strip, according to official statements released July 31, 2026. The development comes as Hamas also confirmed acceptance of an accord involving weapons dismantling in exchange for Israeli military withdrawal. Multiple regional governments and international bodies are assessing implications of the accord for regional stability and Palestinian statehood.

Details:

According to reporting from Saudi state sources, the Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed Trump's announcement regarding the historical disarmament agreement in Gaza, with officials emphasizing the kingdom's commitment to supporting peace efforts and reconstruction in the territory. The statement credited the mediation roles of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and other regional partners in facilitating negotiations. Saudi officials reiterated their support for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a cornerstone of regional stability.

Hamas confirmed its acceptance of the agreement with Israel, which includes provisions for disarming the organization in exchange for a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. American nuclear expert Robert Ainhorn indicated that Trump had agreed to key terms of the accord one week prior to its formal signing, suggesting extended behind-the-scenes negotiations preceded the public announcement.

International responses have been mixed. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that military escalation in the Gulf region has expanded beyond regional scope and now threatens global stability. Kuwait's Defense Ministry reported destroying hostile Iranian drones that penetrated Kuwaiti airspace, while Saudi Arabia condemned Iranian aggression against Kuwait and Jordan, including attacks on petroleum infrastructure. The Kingdom also condemned a drone strike targeting Egypt's Port Said facility and expressed full solidarity with Cairo.

Israeli opposition voices have emerged against the agreement, though formal statements from the Israeli government remain limited in the available reporting. Multiple regional governments have announced formation of a Saudi-led multinational naval defensive alliance to protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden in response to ongoing maritime security threats.

Watch For:

Implementation mechanics of the disarmament provisions and timeline for Israeli forces' phased withdrawal from Gaza remain undefined in available public statements. Clarification is needed on governance structures and international oversight of the disarmament process.

Potential Israeli political opposition could delay or complicate ratification, particularly regarding security guarantees and long-term deterrence arrangements.

Iranian response to the accord and the announced multinational naval coalition will shape whether the agreement reduces or intensifies regional tensions in coming weeks.