NEW YORK: President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet today with leaders and officials from several Muslim-majority countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The gathering aims to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties and displacement since the onset of Israeli military operations in October 2023. The U.S. delegation has extended invitations to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, according to Reuters.
The meeting comes at a pivotal moment, just days before President Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on September 29. The discussions will focus on strategies to conclude the war in Gaza and explore avenues for post-conflict governance and reconstruction, the news agency said. President Trump is expected to present a proposal that includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the establishment of a new administrative framework, and the deployment of Arab and Muslim peacekeeping forces to facilitate the transition, the news agency added.
Regional Concerns and Response
Arab and Muslim leaders have expressed apprehension regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have led to substantial loss of life and infrastructure damage. The United Nations has reported that the conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of Gaza’s entire population. Furthermore, a U.N. inquiry and multiple human rights experts have characterized the situation as amounting to genocide
In response to these developments, several Western nations, including Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, have formally recognized the State of Palestine, aligning with over 140 countries that support Palestinian statehood. This move has been met with strong opposition from Israel, which has threatened to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in retaliation
The upcoming meeting underscores a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, as President Trump seeks to engage Arab and Muslim-majority countries in shaping the future of Gaza.
