NEW YORK: President Donald Trump is set to meet leaders and officials from several Muslim-majority countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, with Gaza expected to top the agenda. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, comes amid mounting international concern over Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 65,000 people and displaced the entire population since October 2023, according to UN reports.
According to Reuters, invitations have been extended to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. President Trump is expected to propose the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the creation of a transitional administrative framework, and the deployment of Arab and Muslim peacekeeping contingents to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.
Arab and Muslim leaders have voiced alarm at the scale of Israel’s military operations, with the United Nations and human rights experts characterizing the devastation in Gaza as tantamount to genocide.
Palestinian Statehood Gains Recognition
The talks coincide with a wave of international recognition for Palestine. Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have formally recognized the State of Palestine in recent days, joining over 140 countries worldwide. Israel has condemned the move and threatened to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in retaliation.
This diplomatic shift underscores rising pressure on Washington and Tel Aviv, as global opinion increasingly aligns with calls for Palestinian sovereignty.
UN General Assembly Opens Amid Crises
The high-level gathering of world leaders marks the opening of the UNGA’s 80th session under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” Brazil will deliver the opening address, followed by the United States, as per tradition.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will represent his country, participating in the meeting with President Trump and other Islamic leaders. He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and UN officials.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not attend in person after Washington denied him a visa but will address the Assembly via video link following a resolution passed by the UN. In contrast, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will make his first-ever appearance at the Assembly after being granted entry by the United States—the first Syrian leader to do so since 1967.
Beyond Gaza, leaders are expected to deliberate on the war in Ukraine, the crisis in Sudan, climate change, and the advancement of women’s rights. With heightened global instability, this year’s Assembly is seen as a defining moment for multilateral diplomacy.
President Trump’s engagement with Muslim-majority countries is being viewed as a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, placing Arab and Islamic nations at the center of discussions on Gaza’s post-war future.
