Saudi Arabia Leads Effort for Alternative to Trump’s Gaza Plan

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of Arab efforts to develop an alternative plan for Gaza’s future in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal. Trump’s plan, which suggested resettling Palestinians from Gaza into neighboring Jordan and Egypt, was met with widespread rejection across the region, particularly from Egypt and Jordan, and has caused deep concern among Saudi leaders.
This month, a high-level meeting will take place in Riyadh with representatives from key Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, to discuss potential alternatives to the U.S. proposal. The discussions are likely to focus on creating a unified Arab vision for Gaza that does not involve the displacement of Palestinians, but instead addresses long-term stability, security, and development in the region.
The U.S. Plan and Regional Backlash
Trump’s Gaza plan, which has been widely criticized for its proposal to “clean out” Gaza of Palestinians, aims to shift the Palestinian population to neighboring countries. However, this aspect of the plan was immediately rejected by both Cairo and Amman, with both countries citing deep concerns about the destabilizing effects such a move could have on the region.
The plan also undermines Saudi Arabia’s longstanding position on Palestinian statehood, a key requirement for Riyadh in normalizing relations with Israel. Saudi officials had been seeking a clear path to Palestinian statehood as part of broader normalization talks with Israel, which would also lay the groundwork for a strategic military partnership between the kingdom and the United States to counter Iranian influence in the region.
The Saudi Alternative: Gulf-Led Reconstruction and Hamas’ Role
In response to the U.S. plan, Saudi Arabia and its allies are focusing on an alternative vision that includes a comprehensive reconstruction effort for Gaza, potentially led by Gulf countries. The proposals being discussed also involve sidelining Hamas, the militant group that currently governs Gaza, in favor of a more stable political framework that could facilitate a lasting peace.
The alternative plan is still in its early stages, and it is unclear what specific steps will be proposed, but the effort reflects a shift towards Arab leadership in shaping Gaza’s future and a rejection of Trump’s approach.
Looking Ahead: A Divisive Issue for the Region
As the meeting in Riyadh approaches, the stakes for Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies are high. The alternative plan seeks to address the region’s concerns over Trump’s proposal while reaffirming the Arab world’s commitment to Palestinian statehood. However, the deeply entrenched political divisions within the region, particularly with regard to Hamas and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, may present significant challenges in creating a unified Arab front.
The outcome of these discussions could reshape the diplomatic landscape of the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia playing a pivotal role in redefining how Arab countries engage with both the Palestinian issue and the broader regional security dynamics.