Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an urgent meeting with the leaders of six key regional nations to discuss the ongoing conflict. Trump extended invitations to the heads of state from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey for a high-level consultation scheduled to take place Tuesday in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting comes just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit the White House for a formal meeting with Trump, marking a critical moment in efforts to recalibrate regional diplomacy amid one of the most protracted and devastating conflicts in recent memory.
A Shift in Diplomatic Strategy
The purpose of the gathering is to engage Arab and regional powers in shaping a path forward potentially including discussions on ceasefire mechanisms, humanitarian arrangements, and post-war governance in Gaza. The involvement of five Arab states in this initiative reflects a notable diplomatic shift, as Trump appears to be pursuing broader regional buy-in for any potential resolution to the crisis.
Though details of the agenda remain confidential, Trump’s outreach signals an acknowledgment of the region’s influence and the need for coordinated international pressure particularly as Israel intensifies its military campaign inside the Gaza Strip.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
As diplomatic channels stir, the situation on the ground in Gaza continues to deteriorate. On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes pounded residential areas and displacement camps, with 41 Palestinians reportedly killed, including 26 in Gaza City alone, according to medical sources in local hospitals.
The Israeli military, under the command of its Southern Command, has launched a sweeping new operation in Gaza City, employing a range of warning tactics including recorded voice messages, leaflets, text alerts, and phone calls to urge civilians to vacate targeted areas. Despite these warnings, casualty figures continue to rise amid densely populated urban warfare.
The military also announced that over 550,000 residents have been evacuated from Gaza City as part of its expanded ground operation. Troops from elite divisions including the 162nd, 98th, and 36th brigades have entered Gaza and are currently engaged in urban combat, targeting Hamas strongholds.
“Safe Zones” and Humanitarian Logistics
In an attempt to mitigate international criticism and civilian suffering, the Israeli army declared parts of Khan Younis a “humanitarian zone.” The area is reportedly being equipped with expanded field hospitals, improved water supply infrastructure, and bolstered with food, tents, medical equipment, and desalination facilities. However, humanitarian organizations have raised concerns over the effectiveness and neutrality of these so-called safe zones amid continued bombardment.
Despite Israeli appeals for civilians to follow evacuation orders and avoid “designated danger zones,” reports from Gaza indicate that many displaced Palestinians lack viable routes to safety or have already been uprooted multiple times.
A Meeting with Global Implications
The planned meeting between Trump and the six regional leaders is likely to draw global attention, especially given its timing alongside the annual UN General Assembly. With the humanitarian toll in Gaza climbing and regional tensions simmering, the meeting could serve as a testing ground for new diplomatic frameworks, or underscore the deep divisions that still characterize the international response to the conflict.
Observers note that Trump’s involvement reflects both his ongoing influence over U.S. foreign policy debates and a possible attempt to stake out a new position in a region that has long tested American diplomacy.
While any breakthrough remains uncertain, the convergence of high-level diplomacy and intensifying military action marks a critical juncture. The world will be watching Tuesday’s closed-door talks closely, as Gaza teeters between deepening catastrophe and a possible if distant diplomatic pivot.
