Saudi Arabia’s “Alternative Arab Plan” for Gaza: A Diplomatic Gamble with Washington
Mohammed bin Salman’s Proposal Seeks to Resolve the Gaza Crisis Without Displacement, but Will Trump and Netanyahu Accept It?
Watan-Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is preparing to unveil the “Alternative Arab Plan” to resolve the Gaza crisis during his anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
This plan, developed in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, aims to present a proposal acceptable to Washington that avoids the displacement of Gaza’s residents while completely sidelining Hamas from the scene.
This comes after pressure from Trump and Netanyahu to evacuate Gaza’s population and resettle them in Arab countries—a proposal that several nations have rejected without offering a clear alternative. Here, Saudi Arabia steps in, seeking to find a settlement that allows Arab allies to save face while maintaining good relations with the new U.S. administration.
Diplomatic sources have confirmed that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s proposal, which forms the core of the Arab plan, revolves around establishing a “Palestinian National Committee” to manage Gaza after the military operations conclude. Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, would commit to rebuilding the Strip without allowing Hamas any role.
It is believed that this plan will be officially presented at the “Emergency Riyadh Conference” at the end of the month, where discussions will focus on funding reconstruction and ensuring stability in Gaza, away from Hamas’s influence.
However, the key question remains: Will Trump and Netanyahu accept this plan? Their primary goal has been to completely weaken Hamas, not just sideline it politically. Additionally, rebuilding Gaza without U.S. conditions may not be acceptable to the White House, which aims to shift the financial burden of the war’s destruction onto Arab states.
Ultimately, Saudi Arabia appears to be leading a complex diplomatic initiative, trying to safeguard its interests with Washington while alleviating growing pressure over the Palestinian issue—without directly confronting its regional allies.
However, the success of this plan depends on whether it can convince Trump and Netanyahu that there is a better alternative to forced displacement.
