Arab nations urge Hamas to disarm and abandon political authority in an unprecedented step
In a historic move, key Arab and Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, have jointly called for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority (PA). This collective stance was articulated during a United Nations conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in late July 2025. The 22-member Arab League and the European Union have backed this position.
The joint declaration, known as the “New York Declaration,” demands that Hamas ends its rule in Gaza and hands over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support. The aim is to establish a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
The declaration also condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel and calls for Hamas’s complete disarmament and exclusion from any future governance of Palestinians. The governance, law enforcement, and security across all Palestinian territories should be consolidated under the Palestinian Authority, supported by the international community.
This represents a significant break with past Arab positions, as Arab nations have traditionally been more supportive or neutral toward Hamas. Now, there is a clear consensus among Arab and Muslim states to isolate Hamas politically and militarily and move toward normalization with Israel in the future.
The European Union and 17 other countries have also backed the declaration, urging Hamas to disarm and cede control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. Countries such as Britain and France are co-signatories and support this position, emphasizing peace through a two-state solution that excludes Hamas from Palestinian governance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, however, reject the proposals. They view the call for Hamas’s disarmament and the return of control to the Palestinian Authority as a threat to Israel’s security. Sa’ar warned that a future Palestinian state under these terms would effectively be a “Hamas state.”
As of the current situation, Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power in the enclave. The proposal includes the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission upon invitation by the PA and under the aegis of the United Nations.
The meeting aimed to address the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the Two-State Solution. The document calls for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip and for Hamas to cease its aggressive actions against Israel.
Sources: [1] CNN, "Arab states call for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip," July 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Arab states jointly call for Hamas to disarm and hand over Gaza to PA," July 2025. [3] Reuters, "EU backs Arab League's call for Hamas to disarm and cede control of Gaza to PA," July 2025. [4] Al Jazeera, "Arab states call for Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in Gaza," July 2025.
The New York Declaration, a unified stance by key Middle Eastern and Muslim states, demands that Hamas disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, aiming to establish a sovereign and independent Palestinian state. This call for Hamas's disarmament and political isolation is a significant departure from past Arab positions and represents an effort toward normalization with Israel in the future, as backed by the European Union and 17 other countries.
