Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt Join Global Call for Hamas to Disarm and Transfer Gaza to Palestinian Authority
NEW YORK, July 30 — In a rare and unified voice, key Arab nations—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—joined a global coalition of countries in calling for Hamas to lay down its arms and transfer authority in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. The bold move aims to bring an end to the relentless conflict that has devastated the lives of millions in the besieged strip.
The declaration, signed by 17 countries, the European Union, and the Arab League, was presented during a United Nations conference focused on reviving the long-stalled two-state solution. For the first time in history, a broad spectrum of Arab states openly condemned Hamas and its violent actions, signaling a shift toward reconciliation and stability in the region.
“In order to truly end the suffering in Gaza, Hamas must relinquish control and disarm, allowing the Palestinian Authority—with international support—to step in and rebuild toward a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,” the joint declaration stated.
This comes on the heels of a plea by the Palestinian delegation to the UN, calling for both Israel and Hamas to withdraw from Gaza to pave the way for the Palestinian Authority to govern and stabilize the coastal enclave.
The statement also formally denounced the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel—an act that had yet to be explicitly condemned by the UN General Assembly until now.
“Historic and unprecedented,” is how French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the announcement. Co-chairing the summit with Saudi Arabia, France emphasized that this was the first time Middle Eastern countries have not only condemned Hamas but also indicated readiness to normalize relations with Israel—an enormous diplomatic leap forward.
Western nations including the UK, France, and Canada were also among the signatories. The agreement outlined the possibility of deploying international forces to stabilize Gaza once the conflict subsides.
Notably absent from the talks were Israel and the United States, both of whom chose not to participate.
A Conflict That Has Gone On Too Long
Now approaching its second year, the war in Gaza has left tens of thousands dead and reduced much of the territory to rubble. It began with the brutal October 7 attacks, which killed over 1,200 people in Israel, prompting an overwhelming military retaliation that has since crippled Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced countless families.
At the summit, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a pointed declaration: the UK may officially recognize a Palestinian state as early as September—if Israel fails to implement a ceasefire and permit humanitarian aid into Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the sentiment, signaling he too may formally recognize Palestinian statehood during the UN General Assembly in September.
While the dream of a two-state solution has long been supported by much of the global community, relentless war, the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and annexation plans have made this vision feel increasingly distant. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern, stating bluntly: “The two-state solution is farther than ever before.”
Still, there is hope. A joint statement from 15 Western nations, including France and Spain, reaffirmed unwavering support for the two-state vision. Nine additional countries—among them Canada, Australia, and Portugal—said they are seriously considering recognizing Palestinian statehood.
In a region marred by decades of mistrust and violence, this unified global message offers a glimmer of possibility. A path toward peace may still be within reach—if world leaders, including those within the Arab and Western communities, remain committed to dialogue, dignity, and decisive action.