In an unprecedented move, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have for the first time urged Hamas to disband to pave the way for a Palestinian state.
They signed a statement condemning the October 7 attacks and told Hamas to surrender control, along with 14 other countries, including Britain and France, after a conference at the United Nations.
“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,” the declaration said.It comes after Benjamin Netanyahu accused Sir Keir Starmer of ‘rewarding Hamas’ over a UK pledge to recognise Palestine unless Israel took urgent steps to end the war in Gaza.
The prime minister’s announcement followed a UN-backed food security body said the “worst-case scenario of famine” was playing out in the besieged enclave.
The war on Gaza has killed over 60,000 people since it erupted in October 2023, according to local officials.
