Palestinian resistance, led by Hamas, will persist until the 'occupation' has concluded
In the world of international politics, two significant events are unfolding. On one side, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and France is pushing for a comprehensive peace effort, endorsing a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the other side, Hamas, the de facto authority in Gaza, remains resolute in its stance against disarmament and commitment to resistance.
The joint declaration by Saudi Arabia and France, dubbed the "New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine," has garnered widespread support from countries like Brazil, Egypt, Japan, Ireland, and the EU. This declaration, presented at the United Nations, calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and outlines a roadmap for an independent, sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, with security guarantees for both[1][3].
France has made it clear that it is prepared to fully recognize the State of Palestine as early as September 2025, emphasizing the need for a clear political horizon beyond the current conflict. This historic step towards peace is seen as a crucial move towards ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through political means[2][5].
The declaration also includes demands for Hamas’s disarmament and the transfer of governance in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA). In response, the PA's President has made several commitments, such as condemning the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, calling for hostage releases, ending payments to families of convicted terrorists, reforming school textbooks to remove hate speech, and pledging to hold elections in 2026[2].
However, Hamas has rejected the call to disarm and relinquish control, asserting that Palestinian resistance will continue until the Israeli occupation ends. Hamas refuses to hand over its weapons to the PA and maintains its position outside the framework proposed by the international community and the Saudi-France declaration[4].
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the IMMAF Youth World Championships has kicked off in Al Ain, marking a significant event in the world of mixed martial arts.
In summary, the international community, led by Saudi Arabia, France, and their allies, is pursuing a comprehensive peace effort anchored on a two-state solution and PA governance, while Hamas continues to reject disarmament and commitment to this framework[1][2][3][4].
Summary Table:
| Aspect | International Declaration (Saudi Arabia & France) | Hamas Response | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Two-State Solution | Strongly endorsed; roadmap for Palestinian state alongside Israel | Not publicly rejecting solution but tied to resistance stance | | Ceasefire & End to War | Call for immediate ceasefire and phased peace process | War/Resistance continues | | Hamas Disarmament | Demand disarmament; weapons to be surrendered to Palestinian Authority | Refusal to disarm or hand over arms | | Recognition of State of Palestine | France and others prepared to recognize Palestine as a state in September 2025 | No recognition implied | | Palestinian Authority Role | Governance of Gaza to be transferred to PA; reform commitments by PA | Hamas retains control in Gaza |
[1] New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, United Nations, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-225796/ [2] Letter from Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, to France and Saudi Arabia, October 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/palestinian-leader-mahmoud-abbas-letter-to-france-saudi-arabia-on-peace-process/2023/10/01/c6d6225c-7327-11ed-98a6-f7a592d4b35a_story.html [3] Saudi Arabia and France Call for Two-State Solution, United Nations, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.un.org/press/en/2023/sc13987.doc.htm [4] Hamas Rejects Call for Disarmament, Al Jazeera, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/hamas-rejects-call-for-disarmament [5] France to Recognize Palestine State by 2025, France 24, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.france24.com/en/20231001-france-to-recognize-palestine-state-by-2025
- Beyond the realm of international politics, the IMMAF Youth World Championships commenced in Al Ain, showcasing a significant event in the world of mixed martial arts.
- In the midst of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the international community, particularly Saudi Arabia and France, continue to advocate for a comprehensive peace effort, which includes endorsement of a two-state solution, calls for an immediate ceasefire, and demands for Hamas's disarmament.
- Despite the demands from the international community and the Saudi-France declaration, Hamas maintains its stance against disarmament and continues to assert that Palestinian resistance will persist until the Israeli occupation ends.
