In a major diplomatic development, France and Saudi Arabia are working together on a proposal to disarm the Hamas terror group while allowing it to maintain a political presence in the Gaza Strip. According to a Bloomberg report, this bold initiative aims to transform Hamas from an armed organization into a purely political entity that could still play a role in Palestinian governance.
Unnamed sources familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg that Saudi officials have been in contact with Hamas leadership. However, it is unclear if France, which follows the European Union’s classification of Hamas as a terrorist group, has established any direct communication. The effort is part of a broader push by Paris and Riyadh to revive a long-stalled peace process in the Middle East.
Disarmament for Political Inclusion
The central idea behind the plan is that Hamas may be more willing to give up its weapons if it is promised a seat at the table in future Palestinian governance structures. “Retaining a degree of political power would make it more likely for Hamas to accept disarming,” the sources said. The aim is to gradually demobilize the group while bringing it into a political framework that supports peace and stability in the region.
The initiative is expected to be unveiled at a high-level United Nations conference in New York next month, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both leaders are expected to promote the two-state solution as the best path forward and may announce their countries’ unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state — a move strongly opposed by Israel.
Rising Tensions Between France and Israel
France’s push for Palestinian statehood has created friction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reports suggest Macron has criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, especially regarding humanitarian aid access. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recently said Israel’s easing of aid to Gaza was “totally insufficient,” and called for “immediate and massive” assistance.
This sentiment is echoed by leaders of the UK and Canada, who have also voiced opposition to Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza and the expansion of West Bank settlements. The three nations hinted that they may consider taking diplomatic action if the situation does not improve.
Was the Hamas Attack Linked to Saudi-Israel Normalization?
There is growing evidence that Hamas’s brutal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left over a thousand dead, was designed to derail normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Israeli intelligence, that Hamas documents show the attack was planned to stop any rapprochement between the two countries.
Also read: Hamas Plotted October 7 Attack to Stop Israel-Saudi Normalization, Says Report
This suggests a direct link between regional diplomacy and the group’s actions. Hamas, which welcomed international criticism of Israel, continues to accuse the Israeli government of imposing a siege on Gaza and committing genocide against Palestinians.
As France and Saudi Arabia push forward with their disarmament and political reintegration plan for Hamas, the international community watches closely. The upcoming UN conference could mark a turning point — or deepen existing divides. Whether Hamas can be transformed into a political player without weapons remains one of the most complex challenges on the path to peace in the Middle East.
