Arab world tells Hamas to lay down arms and end rule of Gaza

[Twiglets1]

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.

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.

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.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/29/arab-world-tells-hamas-lay-down-arms-end-rule-gaza/

From the same article:

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”.

No peace process can start until Hamas stands down and returns the hostages. Arab nations can see this.
Come on Hamas!

Good. This is the obvious and only way forward. I just wish they'd said this sooner, it might have saved a great deal of bloodshed, destruction and human misery.

There's no way anything good could come of Hamas remaining, as they'd continue to provoke conflicts with Israel and cause more suffering. Plus I'm guessing countries like SA are prepared to significantly help with the rebuilding of Gaza, but not if there's an organisation in charge that's likely to get it all flattened again.

So who would take over?

South African government were massively in debt before Iran allegedly bailed them out- just prior to them bringing the icj case, coincidentally.

Hamas offered this way back in April. They offered to stand down, disarm and return hostages in return for complete Israeli withdrawal and guarantee of no further hostilities.
Israel declined.

Serious question. How would you determine who would take over?

It would be impossible to hold elections given the state of Gaza and the situation the people there are in.

After having their home flattened and being evicted from their homes do you think the Palestinian people would be more or less likely to vote for a more extreme group of leaders?

I assume this is part of the statement from the Saudi & French led conference.

It is good news that 17 countries with the EU and the Arab League have come together on reviving a two state solution and one that will not include Hamas.

Israel said it does not promote a solution, but rather deepens the illusion.

Good, I utterly oppose Israel's response since October 7th, but nothing can improve for the Palestinian people until Hamas lay down arms.

Anything that follows will need heavy international monitoring, but it would be an essential start to get Hamas out of the picture.

South African government were massively in debt before Iran allegedly bailed them out- just prior to them bringing the icj case, coincidentally.

Indeed.

The Palestinian Authority.

Hamas offered this way back in April. They offered to stand down, disarm and return hostages in return for complete Israeli withdrawal and guarantee of no further hostilities.
Israel declined.

Do you have a link for this? My understanding is that the talks failed because they wanted the release of Palestinians jailed by Israel:

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-is-ready-release-all-remaining-hostages-return-an-end-gaza-war-hamas-gaza-2025-04-17/

Key point is:
"Hamas has already rejected one of its conditions - that it lay down its arms. "

I think it would be above my pay grade to suggest who takes over. But the statement from this conference suggests a temporary transitional administrative committee established under the umbrella of the PA supported by a “stabilisation mission” with troops from various countries.

I welcome this news.

Hamas carried out an unbelievably savage terrorist attack on Israeli citizens enjoying a music festival 7/10 and took hostages.

Some of these hostages are STILL being kept.

Israel has systematically gone after Hamas - but they deliberately hide under schools and hospitals so there has been terrible collateral harm caused to the most vulnerable of civilian Palestinians.

Rewarding Hamas and the actions they have taken with the recognition of a Palestinian state can surely only embolden them and encourage other jihadi groups to use 7/10 style terrorist attacks in order to get what they want.

These Arab nations are right - Hamas must be made to hand over the hostages and surrender. That’s where international pressure urgently needs to be - for the sake of the poor, innocent women and children of Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority can run Gaza, the way they run the left bank.

I agree with you, it’s a declaration that offers plausible steps towards peace.

If only the Israeli government or even the US agreed with you.

I don't believe Hamas want peace.

I'm pleased that the Arab world has finally decided to ask/plead/suggest that Hamas lay down their weapons and return the hostages. It's about time people realised that Hamas have never had the interests of 'their people' at the front of what they do. They are just vile, murdering, raping scum with the aim of wiping out a people they hate. They'd rather do that that look after 'their people' or 'their children'. Hence the problems with years of missiles and no action to build peace.

Good news for both Palestinians and Israelis

‘DEMOCRATIC Palestinian state’ 😆

That was my understanding too, but will look at any reporting that says otherwise.

When I say stand down I mean disarm and disband. Ie no longer exist as a political or military entity- hand over power entirely. I'm not aware of them offering this as any point during any negotiations.

At this stage I assume the PA would have to take over, I'm aware theyre not popular either. But I believe there needs to be one governing body over both the WB and Gaza and they need a constitution. One that explicitly allows for Israels existence and renounces violence for political ends. Then I think they should declare a state and I hope the UK would recognize that state.

We're not there but I believe its possible.

Starting with the end of Hamas.

Totally agree. Not only do I believe they don't want peace, I think if they said they did- they shouldn't be believed.
They've got to go.

Agreed! The only democracy in the Middle East is Israel.

That seems very reasonable.

It’s refreshing to see people on this thread who have previously defended the Israeli government part ways with them.

Yes this declaration is good. I can’t see anything to disagree with in it. I can only hope that it will have support across the board.

Two things: Netanyahu needs to go, no question. My only comment on what Israel agreed with or not is that giving autonomy to the WB means ethnically cleansing it of all Jews (the ones we call settlers) which is what they did in Gaza 20 years ago and then trusting them not to continue with terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens and creating their own societal structure which is completely unreliant on any Israeli resources - which leads me to point two:
If both Gaza and the WB are to be a Palestinian state, there will be two borders within Israel on either side leaving a distance of about 30 miles in between which is Israel. Considering the enormous project of building an independent and democratic state for the Palestinians, removing terror cells, re- educating the population, building confidence in their new government etc etc - I’m not entirely sure how this will ever work.
I hope it can, despite the fact I’m not crazy about yet another Judenfrei State being created, because it’s the only viable solution to this conflict.

Why wouldn’t we on issues where we think they are wrong?

Most pro Israel posters have on occasion criticised Netanyahu & his government. I know I have & lots of others have too.

We support Israel - as in the people of Israel who suffered an awful massacre on 7/10 and who had Hamas wanting to kill Jews.

We don’t support every decision made by the Israeli government. This is another way in which I will disagree with them (& America) if they don’t agree to this.