Saudi Arabia, alongside Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, on July 30, 2025, issued a joint statement urging Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza as a condition for regional stability and peace negotiations.
The call, made during an emergency summit in Riyadh, follows a year of intensified conflict, with over 40,000 Palestinian deaths reported since October 2023, per the Gaza Health Ministry. The Arab states proposed a demilitarized Gaza under a transitional international administration, citing Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and its alleged ties to Iran as barriers to a ceasefire with Israel.
The proposal aligns with U.S.-backed efforts to revive the 2024 peace framework, but Hamas, through spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri, rejected the demand, insisting on retaining governance and linking disarmament to a full Israeli withdrawal. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized economic incentives, including $10 billion in reconstruction aid, contingent on compliance.
Analysts from the Middle East Institute note the Arab states’ move reflects a shift toward pragmatism, distancing from past support for Hamas to counter Iran’s influence, though skepticism persists about enforcement given Hamas’s military strength, estimated at 20,000 fighters. The narrative of diplomatic pressure is significant, but its success hinges on balancing regional rivalries and Hamas’s resilience.
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