The declaration has also condemned Israel’s “siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis” in the Gaza Strip.

Arab countries, including Qatar and Egypt, along with the European Union have called for Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the end of Hamas’s rule and laying down its arms during this week’s United Nations conference on Palestine.

“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,” said the joint declaration on Tuesday, as quoted by news agencies including AFP and the Associated Press (AP).

The statement also expressed its appreciation for the role of the mediators, Qatar, Egypt and the United States, in working towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. 

The countries also called for the implementation of a deal that would lead to “the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza”.

“The war in Gaza must end now,” the statement said. 

The conference started on Monday at the UN headquarters in New York with the participation of top Arab and Western officials. 

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, represented the Gulf state at the conference. Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, was also in attendance.

France and Saudi Arabia co-chaired the conference in a bid to revive high-level discussions over the implementation of the two-state solution especially in light of Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip. 

Israel—which has long rejected a two-state solution—and its top ally the U.S. boycotted the conference, with the latter describing it as “unproductive and ill-timed” and “a publicity stunt”. 

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, welcomed the joint declaration from the conference.

“For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 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,” he said, as quoted by AFP.

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced on Thursday that France will recognise the State of Palestine in September, pressing for the need to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

“The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility—as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners—to prove that peace is possible,” Macron said in a statement on July 24.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer then announced on Tuesday that Britain would recognise Palestine’s statehood ahead of September. He noted that the UK would not move forward with its decision if Israel agrees to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

At least 142 out of 193 UN members recognise Palestine’s statehood, according to an AFP database.

Outrage at Israel’s starvation of Palestinians

The declaration has also condemned Israel’s “siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis” in the Gaza Strip.

Sheikh Mohammed, during his speech at the conference, slammed Israel’s starvation of Palestinians in the besieged enclave while questioning its intent to achieve peace.

“And in one of the most painful and brutal moments of this tragedy, we have witnessed scenes that are a disgrace to all of humanity. Civilians exhausted by the siege and starving, being killed while standing in line waiting for a loaf of bread,” the Qatari official said.

“What kind of future can be built on the corpses of those who died waiting in hunger? And what peace can emerge in the face of such widespread starvation, humiliation, and killing?” he added.

Israel has starved Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by blocking the entry of aid since March 2 while continuing its relentless attacks on civilians. At least 154 Palestinians, including 89 children, have died as a result of malnutrition as of Wednesday afternoon.

The figure is expected to rise at an alarming rate if Israel does not allow the unconditional entry of aid.

Israel has also killed more than 61,700 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, with the figure being an undercount given that thousands are still trapped under the rubble.

“The shadow of starvation looming over everyone.  All with the world watching. I welcome recent steps to reduce restrictions to lifesaving humanitarian aid – but this is far from the solution to end the nightmare,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the conference.