'Disarm, Leave Gaza To Achieve Palestinian Statehood': Qatar, Saudi, Egypt To Hamas
Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt urge Hamas to disarm and give up control of Gaza, backing a political solution.
Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt have joined international calls for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza, backing a political solution aimed at ending the ongoing war in the territory, AFP reported.
A total of 17 countries, along with the European Union and the Arab League, endorsed a joint declaration at a United Nations conference focused on reviving the two-state solution. The seven-page document called for Hamas to step aside and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, under international supervision and support.
'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 statement said, according to AFP.
The text also condemned the deadly Hamas attacks against Israel of October 7, 2023, which launched the war.
France, which co-chaired the conference with Saudi Arabia, called the declaration 'both historic and unprecedented."
'For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalize relations with Israel in the future," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
The text, co-signed by France, Britain and Canada among other western nations, also called for the possible deployment of foreign forces to stabilize Gaza after the end of hostilities.
Israel and its ally the United States did not take part in the meeting.
(with inputs from agencies)
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July 30, 2025, 00:02 IST
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