New York, 30 July 2025 (dpa/MIA) - A UN conference aimed at reviving efforts toward a two-state solution in the Middle East drew to a close in New York on Tuesday with a call from 17 countries for an end to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip and concrete steps to end the conflict.

"We agreed to take collective action to end the war in Gaza, 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 stated.

The seven-page document, seen by dpa, condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the conflict in Gaza, and said the Palestinian militant group must hand over its weapons to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority.

The signatories include the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Norway and Ireland, as well as influential Arab countries Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and Egypt and Qatar - which are acting as mediators between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire agreement.

The signatories also condemned the "attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure, siege and starvation,
which have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis."

They called on the Israeli military to withdraw from the coastal area and to put an end to settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.

The group of countries also emphasized that it supports a UN stabilization force in the region.

The statement is to be officially adopted by the United Nations by September and further countries are likely to sign on in the meantime.

Expectations for the conference - organized by Saudi Arabia and France - were low as key players Israel and the United States were absent.

Photo: dpa