A wave of intense debate has erupted across Arab social media in response to a UN-backed call for Hamas to disarm and transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
While 17 countries—including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—supported the move as part of efforts to revive the two-state solution, many Arab voices online have harshly condemned it, accusing regional leaders of surrendering to Israeli and Western pressure.
The call, made in a UN conference led by France and Saudi Arabia and backed by the EU and Arab League, demanded that Hamas relinquish its weapons and end its rule in Gaza. The statement emphasized that all governance and security responsibilities in Palestinian territories should lie solely with the PA.
However, social media users and prominent commentators across the Arab world blasted the move. Many argued that disarming Hamas serves Israeli interests and undermines Palestinian resistance. Palestinian journalist Yasser Zaatreh called the demand “a betrayal” and questioned Egypt’s involvement. Jordanian commentator Sultan al-Ajlouni wrote that any such proposal, even in Arabic, is “Zionist in nature.”
