From: The Guardian February 21, 2025
Mohammed bin Salman wants an alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan – but one that most benefits Saudi Arabia

The crown prince sees Hamas as a regional threat, and may propose a deal that risks sidelining Palestinians

Saudi Arabia has suddenly experienced a diplomatic awakening after lukewarm engagement with the conflict in Gaza.

Today, leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will gather in Riyadh to discuss Donald Trump’s proposal for a US takeover of Gaza.
(Keen to be viewed as a global deal maker, Saudi Arabia will also be hosting negotiations over Ukraine this week.)

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was alarmed by Trump’s outrageous “Riviera plan” to reconstruct Gaza following eviction of its people to neighbouring countries.

Alongside Arab leaders, he hopes to propose an alternative plan with the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem, its capital at its core.

The crown prince has insisted that there will be no normalisation of Israel without a Palestinian state.