President Trump is on a trip to the Middle East, including meetings with Saudi and other Arab leaders, but notably excluding Israel from the agenda. This raises questions about a potential shift in Mideast power dynamics.
Trump’s Mideast Meetings
Trump’s meeting with Saudi leader Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman will reportedly include Palestinian President Abbas, Lebanese President Aun, and Syrian leader al-Shara.
Hostage Release and Potential Deal
Simultaneously, Hamas is reportedly set to release US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander as a goodwill gesture to President Trump. Israel was reportedly not informed beforehand, and Hamas expects the US to encourage Jerusalem to accept a deal to end the war in exchange for the return of all remaining hostages.
US-Iran Nuclear Talks
In other developments, the US and Iran concluded a fourth round of nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman. According to Iranian officials, the talks were difficult but useful for understanding each other’s positions. A US official described the talks positively and said the next meeting would take place soon.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Furthermore, China’s permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, called for urgent action to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that the continued blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza by Israel puts approximately 2 million Palestinians at critical risk of famine and extreme food insecurity.
Netanyahu’s Stance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military would resume fighting in Gaza ‘in full force to finish the job’ and ‘eliminate Hamas’.