What's happened
Seventeen countries, the Arab League, and the EU have backed a UN declaration calling for Hamas to disarm and end its rule in Gaza, advocating for a phased two-state solution amid ongoing conflict. The UK considers recognizing Palestine if conditions are met today, Wed, 06 Aug 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The recent international consensus marks a significant shift in Middle East diplomacy. The UN declaration, supported by 17 nations, the Arab League, and the EU, explicitly condemns Hamas's October 7 attack and calls for disarmament, signaling a move towards regional normalization. However, Israel and the US oppose the plan, viewing it as rewarding terrorism and undermining security. The UK’s conditional recognition of Palestine reflects internal political pressures and a desire to leverage negotiations, but it risks complicating diplomatic efforts. The push for disarmament and a phased two-state solution indicates a recognition that a military-only approach has failed, and sustainable peace requires political compromise. The deployment of international forces, as proposed, could stabilize Gaza but also risks entrenching external influence. The next few months will determine whether these diplomatic efforts translate into tangible progress or deepen regional tensions.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that for the first time, Arab countries and Middle Eastern nations condemn Hamas, calling for disarmament and exclusion from governance, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot describing the move as 'historic and unprecedented.' The Times of Israel highlights the UN's phased plan for a two-state solution, emphasizing the rejection by Israel and the US, and noting the broad international backing for a diplomatic resolution. Gulf News and The New Arab detail the coalition of 17 countries and the EU supporting the UN declaration, with calls for Hamas to disarm and for international stabilization efforts. The NY Post underscores the UK’s consideration of recognizing Palestine if conditions are met, amid domestic political pressure, and notes the divergence in opinions among global leaders, including criticism from Israel’s Netanyahu and US President Trump. Overall, these sources illustrate a complex diplomatic landscape where regional and global powers are increasingly aligned on the need for a political solution, yet remain divided on the methods and timing.
How we got here
The recent push for a two-state solution stems from decades of conflict, with recent escalation following Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. The international community has increasingly called for Hamas to disarm and for a political resolution, amid fears of Gaza's humanitarian crisis and Israeli settlement expansion.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Gaza & Middle East Peace: What’s the Future of Disarmament and Diplomacy?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked international debate about disarmament, regional diplomacy, and the prospects for peace. Recent calls from Arab nations for Hamas to disarm and for renewed diplomatic efforts raise important questions about the future of the region. In this page, we explore the current state of peace negotiations, regional involvement, and what might lie ahead for Gaza and the broader Middle East.
-
Why Are Arab Countries Calling for Hamas Disarmament Now?
Recently, several Arab nations like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have made historic calls for Hamas to disarm and disband. This marks a significant shift in regional politics, especially amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Israel. But what’s behind this sudden push for disarmament? How could it impact the broader Middle East? Below, we explore the reasons behind these calls, what regional normalization means, and the international reactions shaping this complex situation.
More on these topics
-
Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
-
Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
-
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
-
The Palestinian National Authority is the interim self-government body established in 1994 following the Gaza–Jericho Agreement to govern the Gaza Strip and Areas A and B of the West Bank, as a consequence of the 1993 Oslo Accords.
-
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
-
Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
-
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
-
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.