Arab States Unite Against Trump’s Gaza Proposal

In a move to counter President Trump's contentious proposal for Gaza, leaders from Gulf Arab states are set to meet in Riyadh, focusing on collaborative reconstruction efforts that respect Palestinian rights and sovereignty.

Arab leaders are preparing to counter President Donald Trump's recent proposal regarding the future of Gaza, leading to a consequential meeting in Riyadh. Representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will gather to construct a united response to Trump's controversial suggestion, which involves U.S. control of Gaza and the displacement of its Palestinian residents.

The meeting, scheduled for Friday, aims to lay the groundwork for discussions during the impending Arab League summit in Egypt on March 4. Trump's proposition, made last month, has incited widespread outrage in the Arab world. His administration's assertion that the U.S. could develop Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East" while relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries triggered disbelief and fury across the region.

In a recent statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio challenged Arab leaders to present an improved plan, stating, “If the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great.” This has led Arab governments to expedite their consultations and devise an alternative strategy focused on maintaining the current Palestinian population while funding the reconstruction of Gaza.

Senior diplomats and officials have indicated that these nations are working towards creating a proposal that would keep the two million Palestinian residents in place while paving the way for the establishment of a potential Palestinian state. Several ambitious plans have been suggested over the past weeks, with one particularly notable proposal coming from Emirati businessman Khalaf al-Habtoor, who outlined an audacious vision for rebuilding the region and establishing a viable infrastructure in a considerably shorter timeframe than previously expected.

As these leaders gather in a show of unity, their upcoming discussions could shape the future decisions surrounding Gaza, highlighting the complexity and urgency of the region’s ongoing challenges. The outcome will likely be pivotal in determining the responses to Trump’s plans and may steer the conversation towards a more cooperative regional approach to the long-standing conflict.