Saudi Arabia Hosts Key Regional Leaders for Talks on Gaza and Humanitarian Support
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman leads a summit in Riyadh ahead of an Arab League gathering addressing Gaza's reconstruction.
On February 20, 2025, Saudi Arabia convened an informal summit in Riyadh, bringing together leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with those from Jordan and Egypt, for high-level discussions on the situation in Gaza.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presided over the meeting, which is described as a 'brotherly gathering' that has taken place regularly in the past.
The talks are strategically located before an emergency Arab summit scheduled for March 4 in Egypt, focusing on reconstruction efforts in Gaza, with plans aimed at ensuring the Palestinian population is not displaced.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has confirmed that Egypt is developing a comprehensive reconstruction strategy for Gaza following the recent conflict.
This summit follows significant international backlash against a proposal articulated by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the future of Gaza, which centered on the displacement of its Palestinian inhabitants.
The proposal was met with widespread condemnation in the Arab world, described as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
The gathering in Riyadh occurs in the context of a ceasefire that took effect on January 19, halting months of military operations in Gaza that have resulted in significant loss of life, with reports suggesting at least 48,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed during the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis in the region has prompted an urgent call for coordinated efforts among Arab leaders to provide relief and implement long-term reconstruction initiatives.
The outcome of Saudi Arabia’s meeting is expected to shape the agenda for the extraordinary Arab League summit in Egypt, which will discuss the future of Gaza and broader goals of Arab unity.
Notable leaders in attendance at the Riyadh meeting included UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
These leaders expressed support for the upcoming emergency Arab Summit in Cairo.
In parallel, the UAE has significantly increased its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, ramping up aid ahead of Ramadan.
Recent operations included cargo planes delivering hundreds of tonnes of food supplies into Gaza.
By February 20, five aid convoys from the UAE had successfully crossed into Gaza, carrying over 1,185 tonnes of essential supplies.
The UAE's aid initiative has delivered more than 37,300 tonnes of humanitarian assistance since the ceasefire took effect, highlighting an ongoing commitment to support the Palestinian people during this crisis.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presided over the meeting, which is described as a 'brotherly gathering' that has taken place regularly in the past.
The talks are strategically located before an emergency Arab summit scheduled for March 4 in Egypt, focusing on reconstruction efforts in Gaza, with plans aimed at ensuring the Palestinian population is not displaced.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has confirmed that Egypt is developing a comprehensive reconstruction strategy for Gaza following the recent conflict.
This summit follows significant international backlash against a proposal articulated by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the future of Gaza, which centered on the displacement of its Palestinian inhabitants.
The proposal was met with widespread condemnation in the Arab world, described as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
The gathering in Riyadh occurs in the context of a ceasefire that took effect on January 19, halting months of military operations in Gaza that have resulted in significant loss of life, with reports suggesting at least 48,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed during the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis in the region has prompted an urgent call for coordinated efforts among Arab leaders to provide relief and implement long-term reconstruction initiatives.
The outcome of Saudi Arabia’s meeting is expected to shape the agenda for the extraordinary Arab League summit in Egypt, which will discuss the future of Gaza and broader goals of Arab unity.
Notable leaders in attendance at the Riyadh meeting included UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
These leaders expressed support for the upcoming emergency Arab Summit in Cairo.
In parallel, the UAE has significantly increased its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, ramping up aid ahead of Ramadan.
Recent operations included cargo planes delivering hundreds of tonnes of food supplies into Gaza.
By February 20, five aid convoys from the UAE had successfully crossed into Gaza, carrying over 1,185 tonnes of essential supplies.
The UAE's aid initiative has delivered more than 37,300 tonnes of humanitarian assistance since the ceasefire took effect, highlighting an ongoing commitment to support the Palestinian people during this crisis.
