CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump threatened more strikes on Iran as the United States presses for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Hamas says it has reached an agreement to disarm. The significant move could help end the war in Gaza but will face many hurdles and could take a long time if ever to achieve. Israel has not commented on the deal, which President Donald Trump announced hours earlier in the day. Fighting has continued despite a ceasefire the U.S. brokered nine months ago. Trump is taking his Friday’s Cabinet meeting on the road to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. And he remains bitter over moves by two Republican senators to put the brakes on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the full-time post.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an agreement for disarmament of Hamas in Gaza and Israel's withdrawal from the area. This could end the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The Board of Peace, established by Trump, will oversee the ceasefire. Nickolay Mladenov, director-general of the board, emphasized the importance of implementation and verification. The National Committee for The Administration of Gaza is ready to govern and restore services. Rebuilding Gaza is estimated to cost $70 billion. The agreement involves international security forces and a new Palestinian government. The plan has international support but faces challenges with disarmament and reconstruction.

Hamas has confirmed that it will disarm as part of a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to end its strikes and withdraw from Gaza. It marks a potential breakthrough in ending the war, but implementation faces major challenges. Hamas also said that laying down its heavy weapons, which would come later in the process, was contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel’s current government adamantly rejects. Israel has not officially commented on the deal, which is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced last October.

President Donald Trump says a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. But many hurdles, conditions and long timelines remain to wind down the war in the Palestinian territory. On Friday, a Hamas official said they have reached an agreement on disarmament. The White House announcement comes nine months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was signed. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas had largely deadlocked over the implementation of its second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.

President Donald Trump has warmly welcomed new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the White House. Trump on Tuesday praised their "tremendous chemistry" and the relationship between the two countries. The Republican president had endorsed al-Zaidi earlier this year after threatening to cut U.S. support if another candidate became prime minister. Al-Zaidi has been likened to the "Trump of the Middle East" and is focusing on economic partnerships with the U.S. Discussions also include Iraq's efforts to disarm Iran-backed militias. Iraqi officials say an oil pipeline deal involving U.S. and Qatari companies is expected to be announced later this week.

Hamas says it has dissolved its government in Gaza and is preparing to transfer power to a U.N.-backed technical committee. The decision announced Monday is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. Hamas did not clarify if it would disarm or hand over security to an international force. The Board of Peace, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, says it will assess the impact based on actions. Israel dismissed the announcement as a ploy by Hamas to avoid disarmament. The technocratic committee is tasked with restoring services and overseeing civilian affairs in Gaza. Israeli strikes have lessened since the ceasefire but continue almost daily, targeting Hamas and other militants, and also killing civilians.