Trump to Meet with Abbas in Saudi Arabia; U.S. Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire
Key Meeting Scheduled Amid Regional Tensions
According to a report by the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, a meeting is scheduled for this week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, which will also include Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting is set to take place on Tuesday as part of Trump’s visit to the Middle East, which will also encompass stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Sources indicate that Crown Prince bin Salman was the start who proposed the inclusion of Abbas alongside the leaders of Syria and Lebanon in this crucial meeting. The announcement comes amidst ongoing discussions about establishing a Palestinian state, a significant point of focus for the Saudi leadership.
U.S. Diplomatic Efforts
Al-Quds reported that the Crown Prince anticipates a positive response from Trump regarding his proposal for the creation of a Palestinian state, which he views as a major achievement in Saudi diplomacy. However, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee vehemently dismissed rumors that Trump would announce American recognition of a Palestinian state during this visit, calling such claims “nonsense.” Huckabee humorously contrasted the credibility of the report with that of his four-year-old grandson, asserting, “Israel has no better friend than the President of the United States.”
Huckabee’s comments came in response to unverified reports suggesting that the Trump administration is working towards announcing U.S. acknowledgment of a Palestinian state without Hamas’ involvement.
Ceasefire Negotiations Underway
In the backdrop of the upcoming meetings, Reuters reported that senior American officials are quietly urging Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, which is among the preconditions set by Saudi Arabia for normalization talks with Israel. Recent information has emerged indicating that Trump has relaxed earlier demands for Saudi recognition of Israel in exchange for U.S. assistance in advancing Riyadh’s civilian nuclear program, aiming for broader economic agreements.
Trump’s visit is primarily focused on fostering economic agreements with Gulf nations, intending to boost their investments in the United States. It is anticipated that other countries may normalize relations before Saudi Arabia, despite U.S. officials expressing no illusions regarding a formal agreement being reached during this trip.
Broader Middle Eastern Dynamics
Further complicating the landscape, discussions with various Arab leaders have signaled that the U.S. administration is conducting talks with a wide range of nations regarding potential agreements. This indicates a strategy to strengthen regional ties while managing ongoing conflicts effectively.
As Trump’s visit approaches, the focus remains on navigating these complex dynamics, as officials from both the U.S. and Gulf states evaluate opportunities for partnership and diplomacy within the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape