Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has called on Hamas to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip and disarm, stating it as a critical step toward restoring peace and security in the region. Speaking at a United Nations conference in New York focused on the two-state solution, Mustafa said, “Israel must withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip, and Hamas must hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.”
Mustafa also urged the international community to take concrete steps toward recognising Palestinian statehood. He called for the deployment of an international force to support the process and help stabilize Gaza. “All states have a responsibility to act now,” he declared, emphasizing that meaningful progress toward statehood must involve both the removal of Israeli military presence and the end of Hamas’s armed rule in Gaza.
France Calls for Stronger EU Pressure on Israel, Reaffirms Support for Two-State Solution
At the same conference, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reiterated his country’s unwavering support for a two-state solution, calling it the only viable path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. “Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative,” Barrot said.
France, along with Saudi Arabia, co-chaired the conference, which aims to revive international momentum toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Just days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state in September — a move seen as part of broader European efforts to pressure Israel into engaging seriously with peace talks.
