Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key international hub for diplomacy, leveraging its unique position to act as a mediating power broker. Riyadh has become “a global actor capable of successfully mediating international conflicts.” This role has been evident in its mediation efforts between Russia, the United States and Ukraine, its involvement in shaping the future of Syria and its engagement in the Gaza crisis.
According to Western sources, the high-profile mediation between the United States and Russia provided Riyadh with political leverage in future negotiations on the fate of postwar Gaza. Similarly, Radio Free Europe suggested that the discussions between the United States and Russia offered Saudi Arabia an opportunity “ to assert its political clout after it rejected US President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Gaza’s residents while resisting any normalization of relations with Israel.” Moreover, prior to the summit, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan engaged in diplomatic outreach with G-20 counterparts.
The Gaza summit took place on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh. This pivotal summit brought together leaders from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE to address urgent regional issues, with a primary focus on the Palestinian cause and the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip. It was a “fraternal consultative” meeting that fostered an open exchange of views on various regional and international matters, emphasizing joint efforts to support Palestine. According to the AFP, summit participants discussed “a reconstruction plan to counter Trump’s plan for Gaza.”
The Gaza summit reflects Saudi Arabia’s enduring commitment to peace and regional stability. Indeed, the Gaza Strip remains largely in ruins after more than 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, with the United Nations recently estimating that reconstruction will cost over $53 billion. During a meeting with President Trump in Washington on February 11, 2025, Jordan’s King Abdullah II stated that Egypt would present a plan for the way forward. In Riyadh, delegates discussed “a version of the Egyptian plan.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman swiftly reaffirmed the two-state solution as the preferred framework for resolving the Palestinian crisis after President Trump suggested a potential US takeover of the Gaza Strip, implying the possibility of annexation. Earlier, King Abdullah of Jordan also sent an urgent message to the White House, warning of the regional consequences of annexing Gaza.
According to Reuters, in Riyadh, discussions focused on an Egyptian-led proposal, which could involve up to $20 billion in funding over three years from Arab Gulf states. However, no official confirmation was provided. The leaders welcomed the upcoming emergency Arab League summit, in Cairo, on 4 March 2025, as a critical platform for further discussions and collective action. The official position of Arab states considers that any peace process must include the establishment of a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel. Prior to the Gaza summit, on February 19, 2025, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef met King Abdullah to brief the Jordanian side about the Saudi initiatives on Gaza and the Ukraine crises. The Jordanian side thanked Saudi Arabia for its “efforts to strengthen joint Arab action.”
Amman’s official news outlet, Jordan News Agency (Petra), reported that during the discussion with the Saudi team, King Abdullah rejected President Trump’s proposal to “own” (annex) the Gaza Strip, which would lead to the displacement of Palestinians from the strip and possibly also from the West Bank. During the Gaza summit, Arab leaders discussed the reconstruction plan proposed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government. The proposal was first introduced by General Sisi during a meeting with Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the decisions made at the Gaza summit in Riyadh would be added to the agenda of an emergency Arab League summit set for March 4, 2025 in Egypt.
Egypt has put forward a comprehensive plan centered on Gaza’s immediate reconstruction without displacing its population. This initiative proposes the creation of “secure areas” within Gaza to provide temporary housing while essential infrastructure is being rebuilt. Cairo envisions a governance framework excluding both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, potentially involving a security force composed of former Palestinian Authority officers. Discussions with European nations and Gulf states about funding are already underway, with an international reconstruction conference under consideration. While details of the proposal remain undisclosed, former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined a phased approach spanning three to five years. The first six-month phase would focus on debris removal and “early recovery.” The second phase would require an international conference to develop detailed reconstruction plans. The final phase would provide housing, services and establish a “political track to implement the two-state solution” – an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
In Riyadh, a key outcome of the meeting was the collective rejection of any plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, reaffirming their rights and sovereignty. The assembled Arab leaders emphasized that such actions would undermine the Palestinian cause and pose significant threats to regional security. There was also a consensus on the urgent need for large-scale reconstruction efforts, supported by Arab and international financial and logistical backing. These discussions underscore the Arab world’s commitment to a solution that upholds Palestinian territorial integrity and addresses humanitarian needs without yielding to external pressures that could further destabilize the region. A pivotal aspect of the discussions centered on the future governance of Gaza during and after the reconstruction phase.
The Riyadh summit represents a critical step in Arab diplomatic efforts to address the Gaza crisis. By formulating cohesive strategies that prioritize Palestinian welfare and regional stability, Arab states aim to counter external proposals that risk exacerbating tensions. The upcoming Arab League summit in Cairo is expected to build on these discussions, striving for concrete solutions that uphold the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. This forthcoming meeting will further deliberate on the proposed reconstruction plan and solidify a cohesive Arab strategy to address the challenges facing Gaza.
