Arab states' call on Hamas to disarm may finally enable endgame in Gaza - opinion

In an unprecedented declaration issued in New York on Tuesday and backed by the 22-member Arab League, the entire European Union, and 17 additional countries, Arab states made clear that Hamas — not Israel — is now the primary obstacle to Palestinian freedom and regional stability. A key signatory was Qatar, Hamas’ erstwhile ally.

This opens the door to an endgame in Gaza, where Hamas is finally gone, the Palestinian Authority reenters with regional international backing, and war gives way to rebuilding and diplomacy. But it will only happen if the message is echoed and implemented — in Palestinian communities, on international stages, and with a financial roadmap clarifying the aid, legitimacy, and path to independence awaiting Palestinians if Hamas releases hostages and gets out of the way.

That path requires major pressure on Israel, especially from President Donald Trump, whose unique leverage over Netanyahu must now be used to compel engagement. Netanyahu, motivated by the most crass political short-term self-preservation, will not move in good faith unless forced.

At a conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, a joint statement outlined a powerful consensus: “Governance, law enforcement and security across all Palestinian territory must lie solely with the Palestinian Authority, with appropriate international support,” the declaration read. “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 text also condemned Hamas’ October 7 massacre and proposed the deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission” — boots on the ground in Gaza under UN auspices — to assist the PA in reestablishing order.

This is a seismic shift. For decades, Arab leaders hedged on Hamas, pandering to popular sentiment that treated it as resistance. The importance — and courage — of abandoning that posture cannot be overstated. Sadly, only Israel’s brutal campaign finally spurred this clarity.

The war in Gaza continues for many reasons, including Netanyahu’s refusal to accept responsibility for October 7 and his dependence on far-right partners who demand total war. But despite his cynicism, Netanyahu’s central claim — that Hamas cannot remain in power — is correct.

Hamas is not a flawed resistance movement. It is an Islamic fundamentalist militia that hijacked Palestinian politics to sabotage compromise. It exists not to liberate but to prolong war in pursuit of a Caliphate. Since seizing the Gaza Strip in 2007, it has turned the territory into a launching pad for terror. It has stolen aid, built tunnels under schools, and used civilians as shields.

Its rise began with suicide bombings in the 1990s, aimed not at strengthening the Palestinian position, but at destroying the very possibility of peace. Hamas’ founders understood that terrorism pushes Israelis to the right. Every massacre gave oxygen to the Israeli hardliners most opposed to partition. Hamas and Netanyahu, in weird symbiosis, have enabled each other for decades.

At minimum, recognition should be conditioned on Hamas’  disarmament and removal from the scene. That would align with the Arab League’s framework and maximize pressure both internationally and within Palestinian society. Better still, these countries should embrace the Arab-led roadmap and use recognition as a tool to advance it.

The New York declaration must be just the beginning. The Arab League should convene in Cairo or another capital to formally adopt the call for Hamas’ disarmament and exit. They must then make an unmistakable offer to the Palestinian people — and a threat to Hamas:

Reconstruction aid — potentially $50 to $100 billion or more — will only flow if Hamas steps down. The PA will receive full regional backing — diplomatically, financially, and on the security front, with boots as needed on the ground — to take over governance and ensure security.

Countries offering exile to Hamas leaders will be applauded, and the Arab League should guarantee a safe exit if it ends the war.

The Arabs should genuinely engage Palestinian public opinion to create pressure and explain that Hamas is standing in the way of ending the war.

In parallel, Arab states must make clear to Israel that the new Gaza government will fall under the PA — a “state in waiting” that already coordinates security daily with the IDF in the West Bank. Israel must stop undermining and demonizing the PA, despite its flaws, and prepare for coexistence.

Saudi Arabia should go further: if Israel engages with the plan and suspends military operations while Hamas decides, Riyadh should begin normalization. That alone would alter the regional landscape.

Netanyahu has predictably ignored the development. He clings to his current path, which has Israel on the road to pariah status,  with Israelis soon unable to travel abroad, and will soon create a diplomatic impasse with the US as well as Europe. He does this to preserve his coalition as he continues to machinate delays in his trial and fend off a quite possible looming electoral defeat. Outside pressure is essential.

Israel relies on US aid, and Trump — Netanyahu’s last true ally — is showing signs of impatience. If he forces Netanyahu to suspend offensive operations and engage with the plan, while the pressure is brought to bear on Hamas, he can own the breakthrough. Without pressure, Netanyahu will stall — and squander a rare opportunity.

The greatest obstacle to Palestinian independence is not Israeli settlements or Western ambivalence — it is Hamas. If it truly cared about Gaza’s devastation, it would have surrendered 20 months ago. Instead, it pursues death and martyrdom for others. But Israel's ongoing brutality in Gaza obscures that narrative.

The past week’s events are a huge step forward. The Arab world's leadership has finally awoken to reality on a central issue. Now it must follow through with resolve and resources. Israel must allow this to play out.