Foreign ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement on Monday, welcoming recent steps by Hamas to engage with US President Donald Trump’s proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
The ministers praised Hamas’ decision to accept key elements of the initiative, including the release of all hostages — whether alive or deceased — and the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms for its implementation.
They further welcomed Trump’s call on Israel to immediately halt its bombardment of Gaza and to begin implementing the proposed exchange agreement.
In their statement, the ministers commended what they described as Trump’s “commitment to peace” and recognized the proposal as a rare opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire and ease the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
“Such developments represent a significant opportunity to address the critical humanitarian conditions faced by people in the Gaza Strip,” the statement read.
The foreign ministers also took note of Hamas’ announcement expressing readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee, comprised of independent technocrats.
This, they said, was a key step toward re-establishing effective governance, restoring stability, and preparing the ground for Palestinian unity.
The ministers underlined the urgency of launching detailed negotiations to agree on mechanisms covering all aspects of the proposal. They reiterated their collective commitment to supporting efforts that would immediately end the war, secure the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid, and prevent any forced displacement of Palestinian people.
In addition, the ministers stressed that civilian safety must be guaranteed, hostages must be released, and the Palestinian Authority must be restored to Gaza as part of broader efforts to unify the West Bank and Gaza under a single administration.
Looking ahead, they emphasized the necessity of agreeing on a security mechanism that ensures the protection of all sides, while paving the way for a full Israeli withdrawal. Such a framework, they noted, must also enable the rebuilding of Gaza and lay the foundation for a “just and comprehensive peace” based on the two-state solution.
The joint statement reflects a rare alignment among Arab and Muslim-majority nations, many of whom have been calling for stronger international pressure to end the ongoing conflict.
It also represents one of the most significant acknowledgments from regional powers of Trump’s initiative as a viable roadmap to peace, despite skepticism in some quarters about the long-term sustainability of such a deal.
The ministers concluded their statement with a pledge to continue supporting diplomatic initiatives, humanitarian operations, and reconstruction efforts, underscoring that the plight of Gaza’s civilians remains a top regional and international concern.