fazTimes media: Seventeen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, have worked with the European Union and the Arab League to ask Hamas to stop controlling Gaza and give up its weapons. The initiative is a big diplomatic effort. This news came out during a special meeting of the United Nations in New York and marks a big shift in politics in the Middle East. It has renewed hope for a long-sought two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The seven-page shared statement stressed the need to end Hamas's control of Gaza and pass power to the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is the officially recognized group representing the Palestinian people.

"In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must stop ruling and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international involvement and support, in line with the goal of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State," the document said.

A Historic Turning Point

The words in the declaration are powerful, especially since the leaders who signed it hold a big political influence. Al Jazeera reports that this is the first time so many Arab countries have joined together to ask for Hamas to give up its weapons and to openly criticize the group's leaders. This move happened after the deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which were carried out by Hamas and led to a new round of fighting that is still causing a lot of damage in Gaza.

What makes this declaration important is that it doesn’t just say Hamas is evil. It also suggests real actions—like possibly sending international peacekeepers—to help calm things down once fighting stops.

Regional Realignment in Progress

"For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East are condemning Hamas, condemning the events of October 7, calling for the disarming of Hamas, and asking for its removal from Palestinian leadership.

They also clearly say they want to build better relations with Israel in the future," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, as reported by BBC News. France co-hosted the summit with Saudi Arabia, showing that Western and Arab nations are moving closer on major Middle East issues.

The situation seems to be moving toward not just a political shift but also closer ties between some Arab countries and Israel—a process that has been speeding up since the Abraham Accords and may now be reaching a new level.

A Shift in Global Diplomacy

The declaration also got support from other important countries, like Britain and Canada. Recently, the British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said the UK could officially recognize a Palestinian state by September, but only if Israel stops fighting and lets aid get through to Gaza without any restrictions.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron is likely to say something similar during the next UN General Assembly meeting. More countries are starting to support the idea of a Palestinian state, and this is being used as a way to push both Israel and Hamas to make real changes.

Reuters reports that the Palestinian group at the meeting also asked both Hamas and Israeli forces to leave Gaza so the Palestinian Authority can take over. The push for unity inside Palestine might be crucial if the international community wants to help rebuild and fix Gaza. But experts say Hamas probably won't give up control without a fight.

The Long Road to a Two-State Solution

This situation arises from strong feelings of distrust, ongoing violence, and Israel's construction of more homes in the West Bank, an area that is not under its control. Recently, some Israeli leaders said they might take control of parts of that area, which made people even more doubtful about reaching a peaceful agreement.

At a meeting, the leader of the United Nations, António Guterres, said that the two-state solution is further away than it has ever been. Still, he asked world leaders not to give up on the idea, because he believes it is the only way to have a lasting peace.

Fifteen Western countries, including France and Spain, said they still strongly support the two-state solution.

Among these nine countries, like Australia, Canada, Finland, and Portugal, they said they are willing to officially recognize Palestine.

What This Means for Local Readers

For many people in the area, especially those with connections to Palestine or deep feelings about the conflict, this situation is both encouraging and worrying. It shows a rare moment where different sides are working together and could lead to a peaceful change in Gaza—but there are still many unknowns.

Will Hamas decide to stop fighting?

Currently, the people of Gaza are still dealing with the ongoing problems of the conflict, facing attacks, financial struggles, and a serious crisis for basic needs.

Conclusion

It might shift how power works in the region, push Hamas into a tough spot, and bring back hope to a peace effort that has stalled for a long time. The next few weeks will be important.

Whether this strong diplomatic effort leads to real progress or just becomes another missed chance depends on all sides taking real action—not just making speeches. Stay tuned to FazTimes for more updates on this story and other news from the region.

At FazTimes, we prioritize accuracy, confidence, and strong journalistic standards. To ensure every news story we share is real, we verify it with multiple trustworthy and independent sources.

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