Saudi Arabia is set to host a closed-door emergency summit on Friday, bringing together Arab leaders to discuss an alternative plan to President Donald Trump's proposal for a US takeover of Gaza and the permanent displacement of Palestinians. The meeting, convened by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been described as "an informal brotherly gathering" by the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jordan, and Egypt expected to attend.
According to SPA, the summit is part of the regular private gatherings held between leaders of these member states, with joint Arab action and relevant decisions to be included in the agenda. AFP, citing a source, reported that the Arab leaders would focus on developing a reconstruction plan that counters Trump's proposal for Gaza.
Arab officials see Trump's plan as a direct threat to regional stability, fearing it could inflame tensions and destabilize neighboring countries. Analysts suggest that the emerging Arab proposal might emphasize rejecting displacement, reaffirming Palestinian sovereignty, an Arab-led initiative to rebuild Gaza's infrastructure, or a security framework involving regional and international actors.
Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy, described the summit as "the most consequential" in decades for the broader Arab world and the Palestinian issue, according to AFP. The urgency of the meeting stems from the widespread global outrage triggered by Trump's proposal to "take over" Gaza and forcibly relocate its 2.4 million residents to Egypt and Jordan. Arab nations have vehemently rejected the plan, calling it a violation of Palestinian sovereignty and international law. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and other Gulf states are now working on a counterproposal to address the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza.
The United Nations, European Union, and international human rights groups have also condemned Trump's idea, warning that it amounts to forced displacement and could lead to further instability in the region. In a recent visit to Spain, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called for international support and the adoption of a plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip without displacing the Palestinian people.
The emergency summit reflects the Arab leaders' determination to find a viable solution to the Gaza crisis that preserves Palestinian rights and ensures regional stability. The stakes are high, and the outcome of the meeting could shape the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East.
Trump's initial proposal to "take over" the Gaza Strip and focus on its economic development, along with relocating Palestinians from the war-torn region, has faced strong opposition. The Arab world is now rallying to present an alternative that supports Gaza's reconstruction and rejects any form of forced displacement.
The world will be watching closely as the Arab leaders convene in Saudi Arabia, hoping for a constructive and unified approach to the complex issues surrounding Gaza's future. The outcome of this summit has the potential to significantly impact the region's geopolitical landscape and the lives of millions of Palestinians.
