The Arab world has told Hamas to disarm and surrender control of Gaza.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt called for the Palestinian terror group to disband on Tuesday, the first time they have done so.
They joined 14 other countries, including Britain and France, in signing a statement that also condemned the Oct 7 terror attacks and told Hamas to give up power.
It is the first time Arab countries have condemned the group and demanded it play no part in the future governance of Palestine.
“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, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,” reads the declaration, which was produced after a conference at the United Nations.
Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, said the declaration was “both historic and unprecedented”.
“For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalise relations with Israel in the future,” he said.
Palestinians carry flour back from an aid delivery in Rafah on Tuesday – GETTY IMAGES
David Lammy backed the statement when he addressed the UN Assembly on Tuesday.
“Hamas must never be rewarded for the monstrous attack on Oct 7,” the Foreign Secretary said. “It must immediately release the hostages, agree to an immediate ceasefire, accept it will have no role in governing Gaza and commit to disarmament.”
He was speaking after Sir Keir Starmer said Britain would recognise Palestine as a state unless Israel met a series of conditions, including ending the “appalling” situation in Gaza.
The Prime Minister’s announcement prompted condemnation from the United States, Israel and Jewish groups.
By signing the statement, the Arab nations also demanded the release of all remaining Israeli hostages.
“Only by ending the war in Gaza, releasing all hostages, ending occupation, rejecting violence and terror, realising an independent, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian State, ending the occupation of all Arab territories and providing solid security guarantees for Israel and Palestine, can normal relations and coexistence among the region’s peoples and States be achieved,” it reads.
Pro-Palestine protesters outside Egypt’s embassy in New York on Monday – GETTY IMAGES
The text, which was also signed by Canada and other Western nations, also supports a two-state solution and the deployment of foreign forces to Gaza when the war ends.
“We supported the deployment of a temporary international stabilisation mission upon invitation by the Palestinian Authority and under the aegis of the United Nations and in line with UN principles, building on existing UN capacities, to be mandated by the UN Security Council, with appropriate regional and international support,” it reads.
The statement calls on Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to “issue a clear public commitment to the two-state solution, including a sovereign and viable Palestinian State”.
Israel and the United States boycotted the conference and did not sign the declaration.
Earlier this month, Hamas sources told Saudi media that the group would consider laying down its arms as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel.
Emmanuel Macron announced last week that France would recognise Palestinian statehood.
For decades, most UN members have supported a two-state solution with Israel and a Palestinian state existing side by side.
But Antonio Guterres, the UN’s secretary general, said at a meeting on Monday that “the two-state solution is farther than ever before”.
