Fri Feb 21 17:57:51 UTC 2025: ## Arab Leaders Convene in Riyadh to Counter Trump’s Gaza Plan

**RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —** Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted a “mini Arab summit” in Riyadh on Friday, bringing together leaders from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Jordan, and Egypt. The meeting aimed to present a united front against U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed solution to the Gaza crisis, which reportedly involves relocating the Palestinian population.

The summit, coinciding with Saudi Founding Day celebrations, was announced by Bader Al Asaker, Head of the Crown Prince’s Private Office. It follows intense diplomatic activity by Saudi Arabia, including meetings between Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and several G20 counterparts, including India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, to discuss Riyadh’s peace initiatives. Other regional leaders, such as the Emir of Qatar, also engaged in pre-summit diplomatic outreach.

The Saudi initiative comes in response to President Trump’s February 5th statement suggesting a potential annexation of the Gaza Strip. Crown Prince Salman swiftly reiterated the “two-state solution,” directly countering Trump’s proposal. This stance is supported by Jordan’s King Abdullah, who conveyed an urgent message to the White House expressing concerns about the regional implications of annexing Gaza. King Abdullah, in a meeting with the Saudi Interior Minister, explicitly rejected Trump’s plan.

The summit is also expected to address an Egyptian-proposed reconstruction plan for Gaza, presented by President El Sisi to the World Jewish Congress. This plan will be further discussed at a larger Arab summit scheduled for March 4th in Egypt.

The urgency of the situation is heightened by recent Israeli leaflets dropped over Gaza calling for evacuation, adding to tensions following the death of two Israeli children who were hostages of Hamas. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain disputed. The Riyadh meeting marks a significant effort by Arab nations to coordinate their response to the evolving crisis in Gaza.

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