From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Saudi Arabia, France: Annexation a ‘redline,’ ending Gaza war and securing release of hostages an ‘absolute priority’
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A joint statement from Saudi Arabia and France declares that “ending the war in Gaza and ensuring the release of all hostages” is their “absolute priority,” and notes that “any form of annexation is a redline” in an apparent warning to Israel not to retaliate to the recognition of a Palestinian state by a number of nations.
“The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate with the intensification of the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza city, and with civilians and hostages paying an unjustifiable price due to the ongoing war,” reads the statement released after a high-profile meeting at the United Nations aimed at solidifying support for a two-state solution.
The gathering demonstrated overwhelming international support for the Palestinian cause and the unprecedented state of isolation that Israel finds itself in less than two years after Hamas’s October 7 attack, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages abducted.
“It is now time for the international community to move from words to deeds,” the statement reads, welcoming the recognition of a Palestinian state in recent days by a number of countries.
“We call for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, exchange of prisoners, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza,” the statement reads.
The nations also say they commit to supporting a “temporary international stabilization mission upon invitation by the Palestinian Authority” and commit to increasing their training commitments for Palestinian security forces.
“We stress the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority,” the statement reads. “In the context of ending the war in Gaza, we reiterate that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza, disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign Palestinian State.”
“We commend the historic commitments made by President Mahmoud Abbas including to the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, the continued rejection of violence and terrorism, and his statement that the Palestinian State has no intention to be a militarized State and is ready to work on security arrangements beneficial to all parties, in full respect of its sovereignty,” the statement reads, adding that it welcomes reforms undertaken by the PA including the scrapping of the pay-to-slay system, reforms within the education system and a commitment to hold free elections within a year of a ceasefire.
The statement also “urge[s] the Israeli leadership to seize this opportunity for peace, and to issue a clear public commitment to the Two-State solution,” and calls for an end to all settlement activities and settler violence.
“We reiterate that any form of annexation is a redline for the international community that bears serious consequences and constitutes a direct risk to existing and future peace agreements,” the statement says.
“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, we reiterate that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza, disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign Palestinian State.”
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino and Andorra issued statements on their recognition of a Palestinian state at the conference. The UK, Australia, Canada and Portugal made their own announcements recognizing Palestine a day earlier.
Both the US and Israel have argued that recognition of a Palestinian state at this time amounts to a reward for Hamas that won’t advance efforts to release the 48 remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza, but could well harm those goals.
The Times of Israel Community.