Arab countries demand that Hamas lay down its arms and hand over control of Gaza

With the backing of Arab countries and Western powers, a joint declaration at the United Nations condemned the October 7 attacks, called for the disarmament of Hamas, and proposed transferring control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority.

The coalition of signatories consists of 17 countries, including key actors from the Arab world such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, who, together with the European Union, signed an unprecedented declaration that explicitly demands the disarmament of Hamas and its removal from the government of the Gaza Strip.

This way, Israel, although absent from the meeting, is strengthened in its stance against Islamist terrorism.

Hamas must surrender its weapons and relinquish power

The document was presented during a conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York and represents a major political blow to the Islamist organization, which has historically been supported by radicalized sectors within the Muslim world.

The seven-page text clearly states the need for  "in the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority." 

The declaration also condemns the October 7 attacks carried out by the Palestinian movement on Israeli soil, which was the largest terrorist act in the history of the Jewish state.

The lack of proportionality in the usual criticism of Israel has, for years, left Hamas and its systematic policy of using the civilian population as human shields unpunished. The fact that Arab countries now condemn these attacks indicates a structural change in the regional view of the conflict.

France, United Kingdom, and Canada, the sponsors

"For the first time, Arab and Middle Eastern countries condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, demand its disarmament, demand its exclusion from the Palestinian government, and clearly express their intention to normalize relations with Israel in the future," said France's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot.

The document, also signed by France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, even proposes the deployment of a foreign force to stabilize Gaza once hostilities end. The United States was not present at the conference.

Far from being a simple diplomatic statement, this declaration represents a qualitative change: Hamas's isolation is promoted not only by the West, but also by its ideological allies.