Arab, EU States Urge Hamas to Relinquish Gaza

In a historic move, major Arab nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and others, together with the European Union and Arab League, called for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority at a United Nations conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. The declaration emphasized international support for establishing a sovereign Palestinian state and condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. It suggested possible deployment of international forces to stabilize Gaza post-conflict and reflected unprecedented Arab frustration with Hamas, publicly advocating for its exclusion from Palestinian governance and openness to future normalization with Israel. The Palestinian delegation urged both Israel and Hamas to leave Gaza so the Palestinian Authority could assume administration. Notably, Israel and the United States did not participate in the conference. The UK indicated it may recognize a Palestinian state by September if Israel does not meet specific conditions.