Arab and Muslim states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, have for the first time jointly called for Hamas to relinquish its rule over the Gaza Strip and disarm, marking a significant diplomatic shift in efforts to end the ongoing war in the region.
The call was part of a joint declaration endorsed at a United Nations conference in New York, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. The summit, which focused on a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the implementation of a two-state solution, was supported by the 22-member Arab League, the European Union, and 17 additional countries.
The declaration stated: “Governance, law enforcement and security across all Palestinian territory must lie solely with the Palestinian Authority, with appropriate international support.” It further emphasised that “in the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.”
The text condemned the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, and proposed the deployment of “a temporary international stabilisation mission” under UN oversight, should the Palestinian Authority invite such intervention. “We welcomed the readiness expressed by some Member States to contribute in troops,” the declaration read.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the agreement as “unprecedented,” highlighting that “on the part of Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Muslim countries who for the first time will condemn terrorism, the acts of terror on the 7th of October, [they have] called for the disarmament of Hamas and expressed their hope to have a normalised relationship with Israel in due time.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the move, stating: “We welcome this important progress and the Arab League’s recognition that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza. Kidnapping innocent men, women, and children is a blatant violation of international law and must be unequivocally condemned.”
The position of Arab states such as Egypt and Qatar—key mediators in ceasefire negotiations—has gradually shifted over recent months. In March, Egypt proposed a plan that excluded Hamas from governing Gaza post-conflict, advocating for a transitional Palestinian committee that would eventually transfer authority to the Palestinian Authority.
Saudi Arabia has long supported the revival of the two-state solution, while France and the United Kingdom have pledged to recognise a Palestinian state by September—moves that have drawn sharp criticism from Israel and the United States.
Despite mounting international pressure, Hamas has shown no clear intention to relinquish control in Gaza, issuing mixed messages about its future role in the enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains firmly opposed to the two-state solution, arguing it threatens Israel’s security.
Follow us on:
