In a significant development, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt on Tuesday joined forces to call for Hamas to disarm and relinquish its control over Gaza, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory. Seventeen countries, along with the European Union and the Arab League, supported a seven-page declaration at a United Nations (UN) conference focused on reviving the two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
The declaration stated, “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,” emphasizing the need for international engagement and support to achieve a sovereign and independent Palestinian state. This call followed a request from the Palestinian delegation at the UN for both Israel and Hamas to withdraw from Gaza, allowing the Palestinian Authority to govern the coastal territory.
The text also condemned the deadly attacks by Hamas on 7 October, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties. Notably, the UN General Assembly has yet to address these attacks.
Potential Recognition of Palestinian Statehood
France, which co-chaired the conference with Saudi Arabia, described the declaration as “both historic and unprecedented.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated, “For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, call for its disarmament, and express their intention to normalize relations with Israel in the future.”
The declaration, co-signed by France, Britain, and Canada, also proposed the potential deployment of foreign forces to stabilize Gaza after hostilities cease, though Israel and the United States did not participate in the meeting.
During the conference, Britain announced its consideration of recognizing a Palestinian state in September. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy indicated that London would proceed with recognition if Israel did not meet specific conditions, including implementing a ceasefire in Gaza and allowing sufficient humanitarian aid.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently stated he would formally announce France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September. For decades, the majority of UN members have supported a two-state solution, envisioning Israel and a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully.
International Support for Two-State Solution
However, after more than 21 months of conflict in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank raises concerns about the feasibility of a Palestinian state. Israeli officials have also expressed intentions to annex occupied territories, further complicating the situation.
The current war in Gaza erupted following Hamas’s attacks on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities. In response, Israel launched extensive military operations that have claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and devastated much of the region’s infrastructure.
Furthermore, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked at the meeting on Monday that “the two-state solution is farther than ever before.” In a statement issued late Tuesday, 15 Western nations, including France and Spain, reaffirmed their “unwavering support for the vision of the two-state solution.”
Among the signatories, nine countries that have not yet recognized a Palestinian state expressed their willingness to consider doing so, including Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino.
