Trump says Hamas set to disarm in Gaza deal

US President Donald Trump said that Hamas would give up weapons, a step the fighters have not confirmed, in what would be a major step forward in a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
'A lot of people said they'll never disarm. It looks like they're going to disarm', Trump told a cabinet meeting.
Trump hailed cooperation with Hamas, considered a fighter group by the United States, after Israeli forces brought back the remains from the last hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili.
'They did help us with those bodies, getting them back and that family is so grateful', Trump said.
Trump had asked for an update on the Middle East from his roving special envoy Steve Witkoff, sitting at the side of the room as cabinet members and media listened.
An upbeat Witkoff voiced high confidence at Hamas following through.
'We've got the fighters out of there and they're going to demilitarise. They will because they have no choice', Witkoff said. 'They're going to give it up. They're going to give up the AK-47s', he told Trump.
Hamas has said that the return of Gvili's body showed its commitment to the ceasefire but it has so far not surrendered its weapons.
The group has repeatedly said disarmament is a red line, but it has also suggested it would be open to handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing authority.
Disarmament is a key part in the second phase of the ceasefire plan sealed in October. A Palestinian technocratic committee has also been set up with a goal of taking over governance in the battered Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel announced that the crucial Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt would be reopened on Sunday, but only for the 'limited movement of people'.
'The Rafah Crossing will open this coming Sunday (February 1st) in both directions, for limited movement of people only', COGAT, a defence ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, said in a statement on Friday.
Entry and exit 'will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel and under the supervision of the European Union mission', it added.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said on Friday it launched overnight strikes at 'eight fighters' in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, killing three of them, with a fragile ceasefire still in place in the Palestinian territory.