Arab nations call for Hamas to disarm amid push for Palestinian statehood

Arab nations are calling on Hamas to disarm, release hostages, and end its rule in Gaza amid a push for Palestinian statehood.

The 22 member nations of the Arab League on Tuesday endorsed the "New York Declaration," a seven-page document submitted by Saudi Arabia and France at the United Nations conference on a two-state solution that includes a phased road map for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the creation of a Palestinian state, according to New York Times.

The document also condemns Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

“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 objectives of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state,” according to the declaration. All 27 European Union states and 17 other countries also signed the declaration.

The document also calls for the deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission,” invited by the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and “under the aegis of the United Nations.”

Hamas has working relations with many Arab leaders, who rule over populations that are strong supporters of the Palestinian cause. As a result, the Arab leaders have been reluctant to publicly break with the group and normalize relations with Israel.

“Any effort made at the international level to support our Palestinian people and their legitimate rights is appreciated and welcomed,” Hamas said in a statement on Thursday, demanding “unconditional international recognition” of an independent Palestinian state.

“The Palestinian situation is an internal affair of our people,” the terrorist group added.

Hamas also called for the Palestine Liberation Organization to be reformed, which represents Palestinians internationally and is led by the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas.

The terrorist group also demanded presidential, legislative, and other elections “based on national and democratic foundations without any preconditions.” Hamas was elected to power in Gaza in 2006 and has not held any elections since.

Both the U.S. and Israel denounced the UN conference that occurred this week, calling it premature. They said that the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli hostages still in captivity, and militant groups continuing to operate in Gaza and the West Bank did not allow for a permanent peace or Palestinian statehood.

“No token recognition and no U.N. resolution will change the basic fact that there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them,” said Danny Danon, the Israeli Ambassador to the UN.

France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have all said they will recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Palestine has been recognized as a state by 147 countries, but Canada, France, and the UK will be the first members of the Group of Seven to do so. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that declarations regarding Palestinian statehood reward Hamas's actions, making it more difficult to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, and endangering Israeli security.

Hamas said in a statement, “Talk about integrating the Zionist entity into the region is a reward to the enemy for its crimes.”