Qatar, Saudi, Egypt call for Hamas to disarm

Qatar, Saudi, Egypt call for Hamas to disarm | Daily Tribune

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Arab countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt joined calls Tuesday for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory.

Seventeen countries plus the European Union and Arab League threw their weight behind a seven-page text agreed at a United Nations (UN) conference on reviving the two-state solution for Israel and the 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 objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,” said the declaration.

It followed a call Monday by the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations for both Israel and Hamas to leave Gaza, allowing the Palestinian Authority to administer the coastal territory.

The text also condemned the deadly 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas against Israel, something the UN General Assembly has yet to do.

France, which co-chaired the conference with Saudi Arabia, called the declaration “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 normalize relations with Israel in the future,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

The text, co-signed by France, Britain and Canada among other western nations, also called for the possible deployment of foreign forces to stabilize Gaza after the end of hostilities.

Israel and its ally the United States did not take part in the meeting.

Palestine recognition

Meanwhile, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday the UK will formally recognize the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various “substantive steps,” including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.

The potentially landmark move, part of Starmer’s plan for a “lasting peace,” came after the British leader recalled his cabinet from recess for urgent talks on the worsening situation in the besieged territory.

Starmer’s move, paired with Paris also saying it will recognize a Palestinian state in September, would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so.

In a televised Downing Street address immediately after the cabinet meeting, Starmer said the UK will recognize a Palestinian state if Israel has not taken the steps demanded by the time the UN General Assembly is held in September.

It must “end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect” of a two-state solution, he added.

“I’ve always said we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,” Starmer said.

“With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, saying: “Starmer rewards Hamas’ monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims.”

“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,” he posted on the social media platform X.