Arab leadership is mobilizing in response to President Trump's ambitious Gaza redevelopment strategy, facing input from regional allies Egypt and Jordan in a bid to retain Palestinian presence.
Arab Leaders Unite Against Trump's Gaza Proposal
Arab Leaders Unite Against Trump's Gaza Proposal
Gulf Cooperation Council holds urgent meeting as leaders seek to counter controversial U.S. plan for Gaza's future.
The upcoming meeting of Gulf Arab states in Riyadh aims to devise a comprehensive alternative to President Trump’s contentious plan for Gaza, which has drawn significant backlash throughout the Arab world. The leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations will engage with their Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts this coming Friday as they prepare for an Arab League summit scheduled for March 4 in Egypt.
Trump’s recent proposal suggested that the U.S. assume control over Gaza, transform it into a lavish tourist hub dubbed the "Riviera of the Middle East," and potentially relocate its Palestinian inhabitants to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. This plan was met with widespread disbelief and condemnation among Arab leaders. In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that it was now a challenge to Arab countries to present a better solution.
In a concerted effort, regional allies including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are collaborating to construct an alternative framework that focuses on assisting in Gaza's reconstruction while ensuring the Palestinian population remains intact and the prospect of a Palestinian state is preserved.
Diplomatic circles suggest that these discussions are urgent, with various proposals being tabled, but none have gestated into tangible plans thus far.
One high-profile idea arose from Emirati real estate entrepreneur Khalaf al-Habtoor, who presented an ambitious vision to revitalize Gaza within a radically shorter timeframe. As the Arab nations rally to present a feasible strategy moving forward, the discourse surrounding Gaza's future remains at the forefront of regional politics, underscoring complex interrelations and sensitivities concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump’s recent proposal suggested that the U.S. assume control over Gaza, transform it into a lavish tourist hub dubbed the "Riviera of the Middle East," and potentially relocate its Palestinian inhabitants to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. This plan was met with widespread disbelief and condemnation among Arab leaders. In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that it was now a challenge to Arab countries to present a better solution.
In a concerted effort, regional allies including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are collaborating to construct an alternative framework that focuses on assisting in Gaza's reconstruction while ensuring the Palestinian population remains intact and the prospect of a Palestinian state is preserved.
Diplomatic circles suggest that these discussions are urgent, with various proposals being tabled, but none have gestated into tangible plans thus far.
One high-profile idea arose from Emirati real estate entrepreneur Khalaf al-Habtoor, who presented an ambitious vision to revitalize Gaza within a radically shorter timeframe. As the Arab nations rally to present a feasible strategy moving forward, the discourse surrounding Gaza's future remains at the forefront of regional politics, underscoring complex interrelations and sensitivities concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
