Cairo, Egypt – In a remarkable move with complex political and diplomatic dimensions, US President Donald Trump held an expanded meeting at the White House with leaders of several Arab and Islamic countries. He proposed a new initiative to end the war in Gaza, in an attempt to chart the course for the next phase following the bloody fighting that has swept the region.
Broad Arab-Islamic presence
The meeting was attended by leaders from the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia. These countries represent regional and international weight in any political equation related to the Palestinian issue.
The selection of these countries reflects Washington’s desire to engage parties capable of financing reconstruction and contributing to security arrangements. Additionally, they have a role in influencing the regional landscape.
Features of the initiative: withdrawal and a joint Arab force
Leaks indicate that the US initiative is based on several main axes:
Ceasefire and release of Israeli hostages
Gradual Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip with security guarantees
Excluding Hamas from any political or security arrangements related to the transitional phase
Forming a joint Arab-Islamic force to maintain stability and secure the withdrawal process.
Launching an international program to rebuild and provide urgent aid to the people of Gaza.
Gaza between reconstruction and rearrangement
The initiative was not limited to humanitarian or reconstruction efforts. Rather, it encompassed a vision for reorganizing the Palestinian internal order, free from Hamas. Hamas was clearly excluded from participating in the next phase.
This reflects that the plan does not stop at a ceasefire. Rather, it extends to reshaping the Palestinian political landscape according to an American-Arab vision. This vision could open the door to an alternative or parallel authority to the current authority in Ramallah.
International pressure and electoral calculations
The meeting came amid mounting international pressure to end the war, after the United Nations described the crisis in Gaza as “the most dangerous in the history of the conflict.” Observers believe that Trump sought through this move to bolster his image as an international dealmaker. This comes at a time when the US is witnessing a heated electoral debate.
Contradictions in the American position
Trump’s initiative raises questions about the contradiction in his position. On one hand, he has long presented himself as a strategic ally of Israel, affirming his unconditional support for its security policies. On the other hand, he is now sitting with Arab and Muslim leaders to present a vision for ending the war and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians.
This contradiction reflects Washington’s attempt to balance its traditional commitments to Israel with international and regional pressures. These pressures force the United States to seek a formula that preserves its interests. They also aim to mitigate the escalating tensions in the region.
Opportunities for success and challenges
Despite the plan’s promises, it faces major obstacles:
Israeli position: Tel Aviv may reject a conditional withdrawal that would limit its military capabilities within the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian rejection: Excluding Hamas could deepen internal divisions and lead to a struggle over legitimacy.
Regional position: Some Arab countries may be reluctant to deploy their forces inside Gaza for fear of becoming embroiled in a long and complex conflict.
Scene summary
The White House meeting represents a new American attempt to take control of the Gaza issue through a combination of humanitarian, political, and security arrangements. However, the success of the initiative remains contingent on the willingness of the parties involved to make difficult concessions. It also depends on their ability to overcome their differences to reach a viable settlement.
