Arab States Demand Hamas Exit Gaza, Surrender Arms

Arab Nations and International Partners Demand Hamas Disarmament

Several Arab nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, have joined international calls for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip. This move aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that has devastated the region. The initiative was supported by 17 countries, along with the European Union and the Arab League, following a significant agreement reached at a United Nations conference focused on reviving the two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The declaration emphasized the need for Hamas to end its governance in Gaza and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. It also highlighted the importance of international support to achieve a sovereign and independent Palestinian state. This statement came after the Palestinian delegation at the UN urged both Israel and Hamas to withdraw from Gaza, allowing the Palestinian Authority to take control of the territory.

The document also criticized the deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which targeted Israel. Notably, this is the first time such condemnation has been included in a UN General Assembly resolution. France, co-chairing the conference alongside Saudi Arabia, described the declaration as "historic and unprecedented."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot noted that for the first time, Arab countries and Middle Eastern nations have condemned Hamas, the October 7 attacks, and called for the group’s disarmament and exclusion from Palestinian governance. Additionally, they expressed their intent to normalize relations with Israel in the future.

The text, signed by several Western nations including France, Britain, and Canada, also suggested the possibility of deploying foreign forces to stabilize Gaza once hostilities cease. However, Israel and its ally, the United States, did not participate in the meeting.

Ongoing Conflict and Political Developments

The document was released on the second day of the conference in New York, where Britain announced it might recognize a Palestinian state in September. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that London would proceed with recognition if Israel met certain conditions, including implementing a ceasefire in Gaza and allowing sufficient aid into the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently indicated he would formally announce France's recognition of Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September. For many years, the majority of the global body's members have supported a two-state solution, envisioning Israel and a Palestinian state existing side by side.

However, after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials' declarations of plans to annex occupied territories, there are growing concerns that a Palestinian state may become geographically unfeasible.

The current conflict in Gaza began following the Hamas attacks on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths. Israel responded with large-scale military operations that have claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and destroyed most of the infrastructure in the area.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated during the meeting that the two-state solution is now farther away than ever. In a late Tuesday statement, 15 Western nations, including France and Spain, reaffirmed their "unwavering support" for the vision of a two-state solution.

Among the signatories, nine countries that have not yet recognized a Palestinian state expressed "willingness or positive consideration" of doing so: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino.