Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Former U.S. President Donald Trump described a closed-door meeting in New York on Tuesday with Arab and Muslim leaders as “the most important” of his engagements during the week, signaling a renewed effort to shape the post-war landscape in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli military operations and mounting international pressure for a ceasefire.
Speaking briefly to reporters after the meeting, Trump said, “We want to end the war in Gaza. We will end it and perhaps we can end it now.” The Republican presidential frontrunner added, “This is the meeting that matters most to me. It’s the one that could help us resolve something that maybe should never have started in the first place.”
Though expectations were high that Trump and his envoy, real estate executive and longtime associate Steve Witkoff, would unveil a detailed U.S. plan for Gaza’s future governance, neither offered specifics following the meeting. Witkoff simply gave a thumbs-up gesture when asked about the outcome, indicating a positive tone but offering no concrete details.
A Regional Strategy Without Israel, For Now
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, brought together leaders and senior officials from key Arab and Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Israel was notably not invited.
“This included all the major players except for Israel. But that will come later,” Trump said, referring to a scheduled future meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The absence of Israeli participation at this high-level dialogue was seen by analysts as a clear indication of shifting dynamics in regional diplomacy. Some observers view it as a step toward a more multilateral Arab-led effort to stabilize Gaza, with U.S. backing but without direct Israeli input in the initial phase.
Erdogan and Arab Leaders Welcome Dialogue
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the meeting as “very fruitful,” expressing confidence that it would yield tangible results. While he did not elaborate, he confirmed that a joint statement was expected to be released.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was also present and voiced strong support for Trump’s involvement in the peace efforts. “The situation in Gaza is dire,” he said. “We’re here to meet with you and do everything we can to end the war and bring the hostages back. We’re counting on your leadership, President Trump, to help the people of Gaza.”
A Quiet but Ambitious Plan Takes Shape
According to sources which cited sources familiar with the discussions, the Trump team is working on a post-war plan for Gaza that has reportedly been shaped in part by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The proposal envisions Arab and Islamic countries playing a direct role in Gaza’s stabilization possibly including peacekeeping forces to replace Israeli troops and taking over civil governance and reconstruction efforts.
The report also suggests that Arab leaders are likely to press Trump for assurances, including:
- Preventing any future Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank.
- Securing U.S. guarantees aKey Conditions Set by Arab and Muslim Leaders:
- No Annexation of the West Bank or Gaza:
Israel must commit not to annex any parts of the occupied West Bank or Gaza Strip. - No Israeli Military Presence in Post-War Gaza:
Israel must agree to a full withdrawal from any occupied areas in Gaza and avoid any future military occupation. - No Settlement Construction in Gaza:
Israel must not establish or expand any settlements in the Gaza Strip. - Preservation of the Status Quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque:
Israeli authorities must halt actions that undermine the historic status quo at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint of religious and political tension. - Immediate Scale-Up of Humanitarian Aid:
A significant and immediate increase in humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip must be implemented to address the dire humanitarian situation - Recognizing Arab leadership in Gaza’s post-war administration
- Against future attacks on Gulf nations, a pointed reference to previous Israeli airstrikes near Qatari and other Arab territories.
The broad contours of such a plan reflect growing regional impatience with the status quo and a desire for a long-term framework that goes beyond simply ending the current round of fighting.
Trump Reinforces Support for Israel
Despite the inclusive nature of the Gaza talks, Trump reaffirmed his longstanding support for Israel during a separate meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking to reporters, he said, “I’m with Israel. I’ve always been with Israel my whole life. But we’re going to find a solution that works for everyone.”
Trump also praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his address to the UN General Assembly, in which Subianto said that any peace in the Middle East must include guarantees for Israel’s security, a stance that seemed to align with Trump’s own balancing act between pro-Israel advocacy and expanding Arab relations.
A Delicate Diplomatic Moment
The private meeting and Trump’s prominent involvement in Gaza-related diplomacy come at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces growing international isolation. As other global leaders departed New York following their UN addresses, Netanyahu was set to arrive late in the week, facing an increasingly cold diplomatic reception and no scheduled meetings with key heads of state.
Trump’s gathering with Arab and Muslim leaders without Israel underscores the shifting geopolitical realities of the conflict. While Trump has long positioned himself as a staunch ally of Israel, the meeting may signal a broader strategy that attempts to bring about a more comprehensive and regionally driven resolution to the Gaza war.
For now, the world watches to see whether these closed-door discussions can translate into real change — and whether Trump, amid a turbulent re-election campaign, can reassert himself as a serious diplomatic broker in the Middle East.
