UN calls for end to Hamas rule in Gaza

The UN international conference dedicated to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the creation of two states has ended, with 17 countries calling for an end to "Hamas" rule in the Gaza Strip and for concrete actions to end the war, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.

The forum, convened by the UN General Assembly and co-chaired by Paris and Riyadh at the world organization's headquarters in New York, was attended by dozens of ministers from a number of countries.

"We agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza in order to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution," the conference's final declaration said.

The seven-page document condemns the attacks by "Hamas" against Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the conflict in Gaza, and also stated that the Palestinian group should hand over its weapons to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority.

The declaration also condemned "Israeli attacks on the civilian population in Gaza and civilian infrastructure, the siege and starvation, which have led to a devastating humanitarian catastrophe". The document called on the Israeli army to withdraw its forces from Gaza and to stop Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

The signatories also expressed support for the formation of a UN force to help establish stability in the region.

The United Kingdom, France, Canada, Norway and Ireland are among the countries that signed the final declaration. The text was also supported by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as well as Egypt and Qatar, which are acting as mediators between Israel and "Hamas" to conclude a ceasefire agreement.

The declaration must be officially adopted by the UN by September, and by then it will probably be signed by other countries, DPA notes.

Expectations for the conference were not high due to the absence of Israel and the United States.