Nigeria, July 30 -- A United Nations conference jointly hosted by Saudi Arabia and France has ended with a rare and significant joint declaration calling for the disarmament of Hamas, an end to its rule in Gaza, and renewed global support for the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.

The meeting took place at the UN headquarters in New York from July 28 to 30, and was attended by representatives of 17 countries, the European Union, and the Arab League.

The declaration comes after nearly 22 months of war between Israel and Hamas, which began after the October 7, 2023 attacks that has left hundreds dead and led to heavy Israeli bombardments in Gaza.

According to Gaza's health ministry, over 60,000 people have been killed since then,...