Arab League Demands Hamas Disarm: Gaza’s Future?

The Arab League has publicly demanded that Hamas disarm and relinquish its control of Gaza—a move that could reshape the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Story Snapshot

  • The Arab League, joined by the EU and France, calls for Hamas to give up arms and power in Gaza, backing Palestinian Authority rule.
  • This is the first time Arab states have collectively condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
  • The United States refused to participate in the declaration, criticizing it as unproductive.
  • Hamas rejects the declaration; ongoing conflict in Gaza continues as diplomatic pressure mounts.

Arab League Unites Against Hamas Control in Gaza

On July 29, 2025, the Arab League’s 22 member states, the European Union, and France signed the “New York Declaration” at the United Nations, calling on Hamas to disarm and transfer authority in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority (PA). This collective demand is unprecedented, marking a decisive shift from previous Arab positions that avoided direct confrontation with Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 after a violent split from the PA. The declaration also ties the future of Gaza’s governance to reviving the two-state solution, with France’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state adding diplomatic momentum to the effort].

The declaration was issued in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel—a watershed event that prompted a brutal war and shifted regional and international attitudes toward Hamas’s legitimacy. While Arab states have long called for Palestinian unity, this is the first occasion where they have openly condemned a Palestinian faction and demanded its disarmament. The move, backed by major international actors, signals a collective frustration with Hamas’s ongoing rule and a new willingness to pressure the group into stepping aside.

Watch: Arab League Calls for Hamas to Disarm and Relinquish Power

Diplomatic Fractures Emerge: U.S. and Hamas Respond

The United States notably refused to join the July 29 declaration, dismissing the UN conference as a “publicity stunt” and withdrawing from related ceasefire talks. U.S. officials emphasized their preference for direct negotiations and expressed skepticism that multilateral declarations would yield concrete results. Hamas, for its part, flatly rejected the Arab League’s demands, vowing to continue its resistance until Israeli “occupation” ends. Despite mounting diplomatic pressure, there is no indication that Hamas will disarm or hand over power, and fighting in Gaza remains ongoing.

France and the European Union’s support for the declaration, including France’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state just days earlier on July 24, has added international legitimacy to the Arab League’s initiative. However, Israel remains wary of any external pressure for a two-state solution, citing ongoing security concerns and Hamas’s refusal to lay down arms. The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, stands to gain from the plan if implemented, regaining authority over Gaza for the first time in nearly two decades.

Sources:

Fox News
Jerusalem Post (Defense News)
Jerusalem Post (Middle East)
Forward

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