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Countries including Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt stress need for Hamas to disarm

Türkiyes Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz attends the high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution in New York, United States, on July 29, 2025. (Photo by AA)
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Türkiyes Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz attends the high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution in New York, United States, on July 29, 2025. (Photo by AA)
By Newsroom
July 30, 2025 02:54 PM GMT+03:00

Türkiye, along with 16 other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, has called on Hamas to disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

The appeal was made during a U.N. conference co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, aimed at reviving the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The 17 countries endorsed a comprehensive seven-page agreement reached at the United Nations conference.

"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," said the declaration.

It followed a call on Monday by the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations for both Israel and Hamas to leave Gaza, allowing the Palestinian Authority to administer the coastal territory.

The text also condemned the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas against Israel, something the U.N. General Assembly has yet to do.

"For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn Oct. 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalize relations with Israel in the future," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

The meeting went ahead without the participation of Israel or its ally, the United States.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy embraces Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa (R) after Lammy spoke during a United Nations conference on a two state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, at UN headquarters in New York City, on July 29, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy embraces Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa (R) after Lammy spoke during a United Nations conference on a two state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, at UN headquarters in New York City, on July 29, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Recognition of Palestinian state on table

Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognize a State of Palestine in September, provoking strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on July 29 that Britain will recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps" in Gaza, including agreeing to a cease-fire.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, (L) and French foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, (C) chair a conference on Palestine and a two-state solution at the UN in New York City, on July 29, 2025.(Photo by AFP)
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, (L) and French foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, (C) chair a conference on Palestine and a two-state solution at the UN in New York City, on July 29, 2025.(Photo by AFP)

On the other hand, the 17 countries called for unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, which is facing the threat of famine. They rejected the use of starvation as a weapon of war and expressed support for the deployment of a temporary international mission to help stabilize the situation in Gaza.

The current war in Gaza started after the Hamas attacks on Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed.

Israel responded with large-scale military action that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and destroyed most infrastructure in the enclave.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the meeting on Monday that "the two-state solution is farther than ever before."

July 30, 2025 03:42 PM GMT+03:00
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