This Friday, Arab leaders will convene in Saudi Arabia for a high-stakes summit aimed at countering former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for Gaza.
The meeting, described as one of the most significant in decades, seeks to present an alternative vision for the future of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory while addressing concerns over governance and funding for its reconstruction.
Trump’s plan, which suggested that the United States should assume control over Gaza and relocate its 2.4 million residents to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, has drawn widespread condemnation. The proposal has united Arab states in opposition, yet key disagreements remain over who should govern Gaza and how reconstruction efforts should be managed.
According to diplomatic and government sources, the summit will focus on developing a comprehensive reconstruction plan that directly challenges Trump’s vision.
A Saudi government insider revealed that discussions would explore a version of an Egyptian proposal, which has already been the subject of diplomatic engagement.
During a meeting in Washington on February 11, Jordan’s King Abdullah II indicated that Egypt would spearhead efforts to devise a viable path forward for Gaza.
The summit, hosted in Riyadh, includes representatives from Egypt, Jordan, and the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The official Saudi Press Agency has confirmed that the talks aim to enhance regional cooperation and promote unified Arab action.
The outcomes of this gathering are expected to shape discussions at an emergency Arab League summit scheduled to take place in Egypt on March 4. The Palestinian Authority is also expected to participate, further emphasizing the significance of these discussions for the broader Arab world and the Palestinian cause.
Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy, has described this summit as a “defining moment” for Arab unity and the Palestinian issue. While the exact time and location of the meeting remain undisclosed, its implications could be far-reaching.