What might a surrender deal for Hamas look like?

The demand by three Arab states that it put down its arms and leave Gaza is a strong diplomatic move but history suggests that expulsion rarely ends well, says Mark Almond

- Mark Almond

The horrors of Gaza have finally come to haunt the world's policymakers. Yesterday, the British government grasped at the talisman of recognising a Palestinian state without explaining how this might stop the violence.

Enter Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, three Arab countries that have demanded that Hamas now free the remaining Israeli hostages, lay down its arms and cease governing Gaza, for the sake of enabling Palestinian statehood and the chance of achieving a two-state solution.

Let's not get our hopes up. The trio have joined 14 other countries at a three-day conference at the United Nations in signing up to a French initiative that also requires Israel to agree to a ceasefire, end its blockade and recognise a Palestinian state in “all occupied Arab lands” - a point that is certain to be rejected by the current Israeli government since it means withdrawing from the West Bank and East Jerusalem where so many Jewish settlers live.

But having the Arab world call the very future of Hamas into question for the first time is a potential game-changer for the Middle East. It's certainly a nail in the coffin for the terrorist group.