Arab States Call for Hamas to Disarm Amid Push for a Palestinian State
The surprise declaration, endorsed on Tuesday by the 22 member nations of the Arab League, also condemned Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, which set off the devastating war in Gaza. The statement came at a United Nations conference in New York on a two-state solution to end the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
'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 objectives of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state,' said the declaration. It was also signed by all 27 European Union states and 17 other countries.
The declaration called for the deployment of 'a temporary international stabilization mission,' invited by the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and 'under the aegis of the United Nations.'
Many Arab leaders have working relations with Hamas and rule over populations that are deeply committed to the Palestinian cause. That has made them reluctant to break publicly with the group and to normalize relations with Israel, despite pressure from Western allies like the United States. Qatar hosts Hamas's political office and some of its political leaders, and has acted as a mediator between the group and both Israel and the United States.
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