Arab leaders are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss countering U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for American control over the besieged and bombed Gaza Strip and the displacement of its population, diplomatic and government sources confirmed.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has invited leaders from Gulf Arab states, Egypt, and Jordan to a meeting in Riyadh, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.
The meeting, described as unofficial, is being held within the framework of “close brotherly relations,” SPA reported.
Trump’s plan has united Arab states in opposition, but disagreements persist over who should govern the enclave and how to finance its reconstruction.
Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy, called the summit the “most consequential in decades” for the wider Arab world and the Palestinian cause.
Global Outrage Over Trump’s Proposal
Trump sparked international outrage by suggesting that the U.S. should “take over Gaza” and relocate its 2.4 million residents to neighboring Egypt and Jordan.
The Saudi state agency also confirmed that a broader emergency Arab summit on Israel and Palestine will take place in Egypt on March 4 to address joint Arab action on the issue.
During a February 11 meeting with Trump in Washington, Jordan’s King Abdullah II stated that Egypt would present a roadmap for moving forward. A Saudi security source indicated that discussions in Riyadh will focus on a “version of the Egyptian plan” mentioned by the Jordanian monarch.
Gaza Reconstruction: A Key Issue
Rebuilding Gaza is expected to be a central topic, as Trump has cited reconstruction as a justification for population displacement.
While Cairo has yet to formally announce its initiative, former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined a three-phase technical plan spanning three to five years.
- Initial Recovery (Six Months): Heavy machinery would be deployed to clear debris, and safe zones within Gaza would be designated for temporary relocation.
- International Conference: A global summit would be held to discuss reconstruction efforts, with a focus on restoring essential infrastructure.
- Urban Development: This phase would oversee city planning, housing development, and the provision of education and healthcare services.
On Tuesday, the United Nations estimated that rebuilding Gaza could cost over $53 billion, with more than $20 billion needed in the first three years.
Hegazy stated that the final phase would involve “opening a political path toward implementing a two-state solution.”
