Arab Nations Call for Hamas to Disarm in Gaza

In a notable move at the United Nations on Tuesday, numerous Arab countries urged Hamas to disarm and take a step back from governing the Gaza Strip.

A collective declaration from 22 members of the Arab League, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, urged terrorist groups to relinquish their control over Gaza. This marked the first time Arab nations have jointly called for Hamas’s removal, condemning the deadly attack on Israel that took place on October 7, 2023.

The declaration stated, “Governance, law enforcement, and security across all Palestine territories should solely belong to Palestinian authorities, supported appropriately by the international community.” It further emphasized that Hamas must end its control in Gaza and surrender its weapons to Palestinian leaders, backed by international support, in alignment with the aspirations for a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

France, which recognized the Palestinian state on July 24, expressed support for this declaration, labeling it as “unprecedented.” According to reports, the signatories intend to advocate for a two-state solution to resolve the enduring conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Additionally, Egypt has been working on a strategy to push Hamas out of power in Gaza, with discussions about a governance transition to the Palestinian authorities, who currently manage the West Bank.

On a related note, the United States also attempted to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on July 24, pulling back its diplomats situated in Doha, Qatar.