Saudi Arabia To Host Summit On Trump’s Gaza Plan
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
RYADH/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Saudi Arabia will host an Arab summit to offer an alternative to American President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. ‘takeover’ plan for the Gaza Strip, several sources confirmed Saturday.
Officials familiar with the talks said the February 20 gathering of the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates comes ahead of an Arab League meeting in Cairo one week later on the same issue.
Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmud Abbas was also due to attend the talks amid concerns that the fragile Gaza truce deal could collapse.
Trump’s statements on turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Mediterranean” and removing Palestinians living there added to tensions, though at least some Palestinians have privately welcomed the idea after years of mismanagement by Hamas and its allies.
Proposals to be considered at the summit could involve a Gulf-led reconstruction fund, as well as a political deal for Hamas’ exit from power, according to several officials.
Trump has pressured Egypt and Jordan in particular, threatening to cut off crucial foreign and defense aid if they don’t come on board his plan. He wants these neighboring states to absorb over 1.2 displaced Palestinians.
Yet the UAE envoy to Washington reportedly signaled the possibility of removing all Palestinians from Gaza, in line with Trump’s controversial Gaza plan.
UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba called the plan “difficult but inevitable” and said he sees “no alternative” to restoring prosperity and peace to the troubled region.
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