The United Nations General Assembly is expected on Friday to endorse a proposal for a Hamas-free government in Palestine, as part of a compromise that will see Arab states issue some of their strongest condemnation yet of the group’s October 2023 attack on Israel, in exchange for explicit international backing of Palestinian statehood.
The move, centred on the so‑called New York Declaration drafted by France and Saudi Arabia and signed by 17 states in July, is intended to underline the isolation of Israel and the United States in opposing a long‑term settlement to the Gaza conflict. It also reflects a shift among key allies of Israel, including Germany, towards supporting a Palestinian Authority‑led administration in both the West Bank and Gaza.
The declaration states: “We condemn the attacks perpetrated on 7 October by Hamas against civilians” and demands that “Hamas must release all hostages” held in Gaza. It further calls for the group to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip, surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, and accept the support of the international community in establishing a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
The text also proposes the deployment of a temporary international stabilisation mission, under a UN Security Council mandate, to protect civilians, strengthen Palestinian state institutions, and provide security guarantees to both Palestine and Israel.
The vote is seen as paving the way for a one‑day UN conference on a two‑state solution, to be held in New York ahead of the General Assembly’s high‑level week. At that meeting, countries including France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are expected to formally recognise the state of Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Thursday that Israel would never accept a Palestinian state. Around three‑quarters of the UN’s 193 member states already recognise the state declared by the exiled Palestinian leadership in 1988. Germany and Italy remain the largest European holdouts, though divisions are emerging within Italy’s coalition government. Five European nations have recently banned imports from Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law.
Hamas has said it will not disarm until Israel withdraws from Gaza.
The diplomatic developments came as the UN Security Council condemned the bombing of Qatar, without naming Israel. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, is due to meet US President Donald Trump on Friday to seek clarity on what Washington knew about the attack on Hamas figures in Doha, and whether US aircraft at its major airbase in Qatar could have intervened.
Qatari officials are expected to seek assurances that Hamas negotiators will not be targeted again in Qatar, Turkey or Egypt. While Mr Trump has voiced dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions, he has also welcomed moves to remove Hamas from power.
Qatar will host an Arab‑Islamic summit in Doha on Sunday to discuss a coordinated regional response to Israel. The United Arab Emirates is under pressure to suspend the Abraham Accords, its 2020 normalisation agreement with Israel. On Friday, the UAE summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest against the attack on Hamas leaders.
Addressing the Security Council on Thursday, senior UAE diplomat Dr Anwar Gargash warned: “These reckless belligerent actions will deliver neither Israel nor the region our shared goal for peace, prosperity, security and stability. They only serve to fuel more violence, extremism, and chaos, precisely when the region desperately needs restraint and de‑escalation. Furthermore, the relentless threats of land annexation and attacks on neighbouring countries destroy any foundation for lasting peace, and threaten the entire region’s stability.”
