PARIS -Arab countries will for the first time condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament early next week at a United Nations ministerial event in New York, a move meant to lure more European countries to recognize Palestinian statehood,

"I will make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September," President Macron said.

Experts say President Emmanuel Macron’s decision could pressure other European countries to follow and may lead Hamas to take a harder line in ceasefire talks.