Following a call for an immediate end to the Gaza war from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) platform in New York, former US President Donald Trump convened a crucial meeting with top leaders from Arab and Muslim nations. This meeting occurred amidst growing pressure on Washington to navigate the complex diplomacy of the Middle East.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has destabilized the entire region, and the United States is compelled to collaborate with its Arab partners to find a viable solution. After the meeting, Trump did not address the press directly, instead simply waving, leaving many questions unanswered. However, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, hinted with a smile to reporters that the discussions were positive.
The meeting included leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The core discussion points were a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the safe release of all hostages, and the provision of humanitarian aid. Before the meeting, Trump emphasized its importance, stating that the war has gone on for too long and must cease.
He also stressed the need to take immediate action regarding the hostages’ release and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan characterized the talks as very fruitful and mentioned the imminent release of a joint statement, without specifying its content.
Regarding the recognition of Palestine, no specifics emerged from the meeting. However, during his UNGA speech, Trump explicitly stated that recognizing Palestine would be akin to rewarding Hamas. He stated that some parties seek to unilaterally recognize Palestine, but doing so would amount to rewarding Hamas, which has repeatedly rejected peace efforts. Trump emphasized the need to bring the hostages home, stating, “We want all 20 back. We don’t want two and four.”
While concrete outcomes of the meeting are yet to be seen, there is a clear increase in the seriousness among Arab nations to end the Gaza war, with the release of hostages and humanitarian aid being prioritized. It remains to be seen whether this meeting will lead to tangible results in ending the Gaza war or remain a mere diplomatic formality.
