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In a February 11, 2025 interview on the Saudi Al-Arabiya channel, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called on Hamas to relinquish power in Gaza. He stated that the purpose of Trump’s declaration of his plan for Gaza was to prompt the Arabs to present an alternative proposal, and that the Arab summit scheduled for the end of this month will indeed discuss such a proposal, which will be acceptable to all the Palestinians and to the Arabs and the international community. He clarified that the Arab League maintains ties only with the Palestinian Authority and not with Hamas, and proposed that Hamas should relinquish power if the Palestinian interest requires this.[1]
In response to Gheit’s statements, senior journalist Tariq Al-Homayed published an article in the London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat titled “Hamas Must Relinquish Power,” in which he supported Gheit’s position. He called to recognize the facts and understand that the Palestinian interest indeed requires Hamas to relinquish power, for this would be a rational alternative to Trump’s plan for Gaza. It will also prevent jeopardizing the security of Egypt and Jordan, prevent the danger of another war on Gaza with America’s blessing and allow the rebuilding of Gaza.
The following are excerpts from Al-Homayed’s article, as published in the English-language edition of Al-Sharq Al-Awsat:[2]
“‘Hamas Must Relinquish Power’
“The above title is not my opinion, but that of the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who stated: ‘Hamas should relinquish power if serving Palestinian interests demands it.’ This is the correct stance to take given the escalating crisis in the region. It is a dangerous crisis.
“Yes, serving Palestinian interests does demand that it do so. Aboul Gheit’s assertion on Al Arabiya is extremely consequential, clear, and indeed sensible. His position should be reiterated by Arab statesmen and institutions, and above all, by the Palestinian Authority itself.
“This is not a sentimental question. Gaza and the entire Palestinian cause are facing a very real threat that undermines Jordanian, Egyptian, and Arab national security as a whole. What is happening now, and the repercussions it would have, could fuel extremism and terrorism in the region.
“US President Donald Trump speaks of Gaza as ‘real estate’ that he wants to own, explicitly stressing his intention to displace its residents and prevent them from ever returning. This is a dangerous statement – not a joke. Even if such a plan is impractical, its real danger lies in its consequences, not just in whether it can be carried out.
“And when President Trump hints that he is willing to cut aid to Jordan and Egypt, this is not merely a threat. He is threatening to blow up the most significant peace agreement the region has ever seen: the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.
“When President Trump, setting a precedent, says that if the Israeli hostages in Gaza are not released by next Saturday at precisely 12 noon, then ‘let hell break loose,’ he is not joking either. If it were to break out, it would be the first Israeli war in the region launched with the explicit blessing of a US president.
“None of this is a joke, nor can any of this be downplayed or dismissed. Acting on popular sentiment, which has never proven effective at any point during the Israeli-Palestinian or Israeli-Arab conflict, is not a real option either. Here, we must remember something crucial.
“Despite Trump’s escalating rhetoric, his Secretary of State and several administration officials have stressed that anyone who rejects displacement or any of Trump’s proposals must present an alternative or better plan.
“I believe the first step of this alternative was voiced by Aboul Gheit: Hamas must step aside. Hamas giving up on power serves Palestinian and Arab interests. Hamas stepping aside would be less damaging than jeopardizing Egypt and Jordan’s security or the destruction of Gaza itself.
“There was a war. Its outcome is undeniable – regardless of Hamas or Iran’s claims of a false victory. Iran, after all, has agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon because it recognizes that Hezbollah has been defeated, and it is now trying to preserve what remains of Hezbollah. Gaza and its people also deserve such pragmatism and acknowledgment of facts.
“Another undeniable fact (and everyone understands this, whatever they say in public) is that there will be no reconstruction or funding as long as Hamas remains in power. Who would even be willing to rebuild a territory that might soon face its sixth war before clearing the rubble?
“Accordingly, conducting the same failed experiments again is not an option. The reality is clear, the dangers are imminent, and they must be confronted with rationality, not slogans or emotions. Hamas must come to terms with this.”
[1] Alarabiya.net, February 11, 2025.
[2] English.aawsat.com, February 12, 2025.
