Arab nations call on Hamas to disband after Keir Starmer's ultimatum to Israel
The landmark shift comes after British prime minister Keir Starmer issued Israel with an ultimatum, pledging to recognise Palestine if Benjamin Netanyahu's administration fails to take steps to end the war in Gaza by September.
The three countries joined 14 other countries, including Britain and France, in calling for the disbandment of Hamas.
The declaration, produced after a UN conference in New York, read: '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.'
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the declaration as '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 normalise relations with Israel in the future,' he said.
A jihadist state on Israel's border today will threaten Britain tomorrow
On Tuesday, Mr Starmer recalled his Cabinet from their summer holidays to discuss steps to end what he called the 'appalling situation in Gaza', where a UN assessment has warned the population is facing a mounting humanitarian crisis.
Starmer said the UK would only refrain from recognising Palestine if Israel allows more aid into Gaza, stops annexing land in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire and signs up to a long-term peace process over the next two months.
Hamas must immediately release all remaining Israeli hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and 'accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza', he also said.
But the pledge sparked international backlash, with Emily Damari – a British-Israeli woman who was held hostage by Hamas for more than a year – warning that Mr Starmer is 'not standing on the right side of history'.
She accused Mr Starmer of a 'moral failure', warning that the ultimatum 'risks rewarding terror'.
'It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy,' she added.
Meanwhile, the Israeli prime minister issued a furious response, saying the decision 'rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims'.
Mr Netanyahu added: 'A jihadist state on Israel's border today will threaten Britain tomorrow.
'Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen.'
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Mapped: The growing global support for Palestinian statehood
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The UK has said it will proceed unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire. Canada has tied its decision to democratic reforms by the Palestinian Authority, including elections in the West Bank that exclude Hamas. Israel and the United States have strongly opposed the announcements, arguing they 'reward Hamas' and undermine ceasefire efforts. US President Donald Trump warned Canada that its decision could threaten a future trade deal. Palestinian statehood has long been recognised by much of the Global South, as well as by key G20 members including China, India, Brazil and South Africa. In Europe, support has grown steadily over the past year. Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognised Palestine in May 2024 in a joint move, and Slovenia, Malta and others are signalling similar intentions. Ireland is among 15 nations that have called for the world to recognise a Palestinian state and reiterated commitment for a two-state solution at the High-level International Conference which took place in New York this week. The joint foreign ministers statement expressed the call for a ceasefire, concern over the high number of civilian casualties and humanitarian situation in Gaza, and calls on countries across the world to recognise the state of Palestine. France's minister for foreign affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, posted the letter to his X account alongside the message: 'In New York, along with 14 other countries, France is launching a collective appeal: we express our desire to recognise the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us.' Advertisement The statement is backed by Ireland, Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain. Palestine state recognition Palestine currently holds non-member observer status at the United Nations. In 2024, a US veto at the Security Council blocked an attempt to grant full UN membership, despite 12 countries voting in favour. Proponents of recognition argue that statehood is essential for advancing a credible two-state solution. As one senior Egyptian official told the New York Times, 'The Israelis used to claim they had no partner for peace. The problem now is that there is no partner for peace in Israel.' What does recognition mean? Palestine exists, and does not. It has embassies, Olympic teams, and wide international support, but lacks the basic features of a fully functioning state: borders, sovereignty and control of its territory. The Palestinian Authority has limited authority in parts of the West Bank under Israeli occupation. In Gaza, also considered occupied, Israel is waging devastating attacks. Palestinians continue to demand East Jerusalem as their capital, while Israel maintains control across the region. In practical terms, recognising a Palestinian state changes little on the ground. But symbolically, it matters. After decades of stalled diplomacy, expanding Israeli settlements and cycles of violence, many now see recognition as a long-overdue statement, not a solution in itself, but a step towards one. If the UK and France recognise a Palestinian state, it also means that four out of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (France, the UK, Russia and China) will speak with a single voice on the issue. This would effectively isolate the US and their support for Israel, in theory. Lastly, there could be implications for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November for 'crimes against humanity and war crimes' in Gaza. 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The Journal
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US offcials visit Gaza aid depot, ex-EU envoy warns EU leaders they are 'complicit in genocide'
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And today, esteemed Israeli author David Grossman said that, 'with immense pain and with a broken heart', he has reached the same conclusion. US envoy visits Gaza Meanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff visited Gaza today to inspect food distribution sites, amid mounting international concern over a worsening starvation crisis and repeated massacres near distribution sites run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GFH). Witkoff made the visit alongside US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. 'Today, we spent over five hours inside Gaza,' Witkoff said in a post on X, accompanied by a photo of himself wearing a protective vest and meeting staff at a distribution centre. He added that the purpose of the visit was to 'help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza'. This morning I joined @SEPeaceMissions Steve Witkoff for a visit to Gaza to learn the truth about @GHFUpdates aid sites. We received briefings from @IDF and spoke to folks on the ground. GHF delivers more than one million meals a day, an incredible feat! — Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@USAmbIsrael) August 1, 2025 Huckabee said on X that he joined Witkoff for the visit to Gaza 'to learn the truth about (GHF) aid sites'. Witkoff also held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, in which discussions reportedly centred on humanitarian challenges in Gaza and the possibility of a ceasefire. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The envoy is expected to 'secure a plan to deliver more food and meet with local Gazans to hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground', White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said. The visit comes as at least 111 people were killed in the 24 hours prior to Thursday, with 91 of them reportedly seeking aid, Gaza's health ministry reported. Another 54 Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded on Wednesday near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza while waiting for food. Advertisement Palestinians obtained a small amount of flour at the Zikim border crossing yesterday. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Footage from the aftermath showed victims being transported on carts to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Gazan authorities said that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathered around aid lorries. The Israeli military claimed its troops only fired warning shots, and denied knowledge of any casualties resulting from their actions. Some Israeli officials have claimed that gunfire may have come from within the crowd during altercations over access to supplies. Israeli soldiers and mercenaries working with GHF have told media outlets that their colleagues have shot directly at unarmed civilians near aid sites. 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‘They just want to bury him': West Bank village devastated as Israel holds onto body of slain activist
IN THE VILLAGE of Umm al-Khair, a small community nestled in the south Hebron hills of the Palestinian West Bank, locals are unable to mourn the death of a young father. The village, facing encroachment from dozens of illegal Israeli settlers backed by police and bulldozers, was rocked by a killing on Monday that has left residents reeling and isolated. Awdah Hathaleen, a 31-year-old teacher, father-of-three and local community leader, was standing by a fence in the Umm al-Khair community centre when he was shot in the chest by an Israeli settler. An Israeli settler just shot Odeh Hadalin in the lungs, a remarkable activist who helped us film No Other Land in Masafer Yatta. Residents identified Yinon Levi, sanctioned by the EU and US, as the shooter. This is him in the video firing like crazy. — Yuval Abraham יובל אברהם (@yuval_abraham) July 28, 2025 Hathaleen fell to the ground as people rushed over to try to help him. An ambulance then came from the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Carmel and took him to the Soroka Medical Centre in Be'er Sheva, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. After the shooting, Israeli authorities declared Umm al-Khair and its surroundings a closed military zone, sealing off all access. Umm al-Khair is one of many Palestinian communities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where some three million Palestinians live alongside roughly 500,000 Israeli settlers. All settlements in the territory, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law. Awdah's body has not been returned to his family for burial, a delay residents say violates Islamic customs and has added to the community's distress. His brother revealed that several community members have begun a hunger strike, protesting the Israeli authorities' refusal to return his body for burial. 'It's devastating,' said a relative of Awdah. 'I've brought two daughters into this world, but I don't know how I can go on.' Locals gathered in the Umm al-Khair community centre. ISM ISM Hathaleen was well-known across the region and internationally for his activism and work on the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land , which tells the story of life under occupation in the West Bank. He also taught English at Al-Saray'a Secondary School. 'He's irreplaceable' Edi, a spokesperson for the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), arrived in Umm al-Khair the day after the shooting. The ISM, a Palestinian-led organisation that supports nonviolent resistance in the West Bank and Gaza, described Adwah as a 'dear friend' in a statement. 'The loss is indescribable,' Edi said. 'He had this sort of limitless energy. All the international visitors who came here met Awdah – he was the one who welcomed them, who helped them understand what life is like here. Most of them fell in love with him.' There's so much despair here, it blew me away. Awdah, an activist himself since he was a teenager, hosted scores of foreign activists over the years, helping them navigate the realities of occupation while offering hospitality that, as Edi put it, 'defined him'. He leaves behind three children; Five-year-old Watan, four-year-old Muhammad, and baby Kinan, who is just 7 months old. 'They were loved dearly,' Edi said. Edi, who has visited the village before, said he has 'never seen conditions this bad.' 'They just want to bury him,' he said of the grieving community. Fatal shooting The killing on Monday followed a confrontation that began a day earlier. According to ISM and eyewitnesses, a settler-operated excavator entered Umm al-Khair to reach the Carmel settlement. Villagers had agreed to allow its passage, on condition no local infrastructure would be damaged. Advertisement But the machinery ran over a vital water pipe and continued rolling toward village land. When residents tried to intervene, the operator allegedly struck one man in the head with the excavator's claw, leaving him semi-conscious. Awdah, standing just metres away in the courtyard of the Umm al-Khair community centre, was shot by an Israeli settler amid the chaos that followed. Witnesses said settler Yinon Levi, who has been sanctioned by the US and UK for inciting violence, fired the fatal shot. Since the shooting, Edi said Israeli authorities have arrested 18 Palestinians, including 16 from Umm al-Khair, many during overnight raids. Images have been shared by the community of the 16 men arrested since the murder of Adwah. ISM ISM 'We all feel very helpless when they come in the night, go door-to-door, and take everybody. It leaves us feeling hopeless,' Edi said. Those arrested include several of Awdah's relatives and young men active in non-violent resistance. 'They're targeting the very people who helped keep the protests peaceful,' he said. 'It feels like an attempt to dismantle the community leadership. We were worried that they may have been clearing the way to destroy the village itself.' Since Monday, a number of those arrested have been released, though six remain detained by Israeli authorities. Yinon Levi was released to house arrest by a court in Jerusalem just one day after the shooting. Village in crisis Umm al-Khair lies in Area C of the West Bank, territory fully controlled by Israel under the Oslo Accords. Around 300,000 Palestinians live there alongside roughly 400,000 Israeli settlers. The village, which has a population of roughly 150 people, has long been at the front lines of settlement expansion and settler violence, and faces the relentless growth of a bordering Israeli settlement, Carmel. Edi explained that Carmel has grown in recent years, which now 'completely envelopes the village'. 'It does feel like the people are completely under siege,' Edi explained. 'The entrance to the village can be closed, while the Israeli army can come and go from inside the settlement whenever they want. 'Much of the villagers' time is spent securing water, electricity, and caring for livestock.' An Israeli bulldozer spotted near the village community centre today. ISM ISM Human rights activists and reporters have criticised the lack of amenities for the villagers, while settlers nearby enjoy what The New York Times in 2010 described as 'a lovely green oasis that looks like an American suburb.' The village has also faced numerous attacks from Israeli settlers. In June 2024, a third of the village still standing was demolished as the IDF bulldozed 11 houses, including 5 tent residences, leaving 50 shepherds homeless. They also destroyed the village's electricity generator, solar cells and water tanks. Residents say that Monday's murder represents an escalation in what has already been a decades-long campaign to push them off their land. Carmel is an illegal outpost, as are all Israeli settlements in the West Bank – they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which bans an occupying power from transferring its population to the area it occupies. Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
