Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have joined a coalition of Arab and Western nations calling on Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza and disarm as part of a renewed push for peace with Israel.
The joint declaration, supported by the Arab League, European Union, and 17 countries, stated: “Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority… in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said it marked “the first time” Arab nations have collectively condemned Hamas and backed a two-state solution. British PM Keir Starmer warned the UK would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel “agrees to a cease-fire and commits to long-term peace.”
While France and Britain co-signed the call, the U.S. and Israel did not attend the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the proposal, maintaining his opposition to a two-state solution and the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.