UN general assembly to back Hamas-free government for Palestine

Compromise plan sees Arab states condemning 7 October attacks in return for clear UN support for a Palestinian state

When passed, the declaration will contain some of the sharpest criticism of Hamas ever endorsed by the UN. File picture: Ted Shaffrey/AP

The United Nations general assembly is to back a Hamas-free government for Palestine as part of a carefully crafted compromise that sees Arab states go further in condemning its October 2023 attack on Israel in return for clear support for a Palestinian state.

The aim is to show how Israel and the US are isolated in opposing a long-term solution to the Gaza war, and how countries such as Germany, a strong supporter of Israel, are backing a solution in which the Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank and Gaza.