By Dickson Bandera
NEW YORK — In a landmark declaration from the United Nations Headquarters in New York, dozens of world leaders have pledged sweeping measures to end the war in Gaza and finally implement the long-elusive two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, and backed by an influential working group including Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Spain, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, the UK, the EU and others, the high-level conference closed on July 30 with a unified demand: an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and irreversible steps towards a sovereign Palestinian state living peacefully beside Israel.
“We are gathered here at a moment of historic importance for peace, security and stability in the Middle East,” the joint statement read. “War, occupation, terror and forced displacement can in no way lead to peace or security. Only a political solution can.”
The declaration, known as the New York Declaration, strongly condemned attacks on civilians by both Hamas and Israel. The leaders denounced the October 7 attacks by Hamas as well as Israel’s bombardment and siege of Gaza, which they said had caused a “devastating humanitarian catastrophe.”
Key among the commitments is the demand for the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid across Gaza. The conference called on Israel to lift blockades and reopen border crossings to allow fuel, food, and medicine into the besieged enclave. “We emphasized our rejection of the use of starvation as an instrument of war, which is contrary to international law,” the statement said.
Looking ahead, the leaders endorsed a concrete timeline to establish an independent, democratic State of Palestine along 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In return, they urged the Palestinian Authority to maintain a monopoly on security and disarm all armed groups, including Hamas. A transitional committee for Gaza will operate under the PA, supported by an international stabilization mission to protect civilians and oversee security transfers.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for two democratic and sovereign States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security,” the statement stressed, urging Israel to halt settlement expansion and violence by extremist settlers.
The declaration concluded with a bold promise: world leaders will reconvene on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in September to review progress and maintain pressure for action.
