Trump Gaza meeting UNGA 2025:A Turning Point at the United Nations General Assembly
The 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York has been dominated by the Gaza crisis, with world leaders increasingly pressed to find a path toward peace. Among the most closely watched events was a meeting convened by former U.S. President Donald Trump with key Arab and Muslim leaders to discuss the escalating humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the prospects for a ceasefire.
For the latest news and updates, visit our website Restoring The Mind
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the gathering as “fruitful,” emphasizing that it marked an important step toward coordinated international action. Trump, too, hailed the session as “successful,” saying it brought together “all of the big players except Israel” to discuss what he billed as a concrete plan to end the war.
The meeting brought together leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Pakistan — a group Trump called “the team that could do it.”
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The backdrop to these talks is one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory. Israel’s military campaign, launched after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, has left Gaza devastated. According to humanitarian agencies, at least 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with tens of thousands more injured. Whole neighborhoods in Gaza City lie in ruins, hospitals are struggling to function, and displaced families face dire shortages of food, medicine, and clean water.
Erdogan underscored this devastation during his comments, warning that the international community must recognize Israel’s actions as an attempt “to destroy Gaza, to render housing, livelihoods, education, and medical care impossible.”
Trump’s Proposed Gaza Plan
While no official documents were released following the meeting, U.S. media outlets, including Axios, reported that Trump presented a plan involving Arab and Muslim countries contributing military forces to Gaza. The idea is to create a security framework that would allow Israel to withdraw its troops while ensuring stability in the territory.
The plan also reportedly calls for Arab states to provide funding for reconstruction and transition programs, with a future role for the Palestinian Authority in administering the territory. Notably, the proposal excludes Hamas, which both Washington and Tel Aviv insist must be disarmed and removed from governance.
Although Israel was not directly involved in the meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefed on the discussions. Analysts say this underscores the delicate balance Trump is attempting to strike: reassuring Israel of its security while engaging Muslim nations in a post-war settlement.
Arab and Muslim Leaders’ Positions
The leaders present at the meeting expressed a mixture of support and caution.
- Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called on Trump to use his influence to end the war, stressing that Gaza’s people face a “very bad” situation.
- Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto reiterated his country’s willingness to contribute peacekeeping forces to Gaza, aligning with earlier remarks at a two-state solution conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the urgency of ending hostilities and securing the release of hostages, while reaffirming Islamabad’s backing for Palestinian statehood.
- Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urged a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian access, insisting that reconstruction efforts must be prioritized.
Erdogan, in his remarks, praised the meeting as “an important step forward” but cautioned that the success of any plan would depend on genuine commitment from all parties.
The Wider Diplomatic Landscape
This meeting took place against a backdrop of shifting international dynamics on the Palestinian issue. In recent weeks, France, Britain, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Malta, Luxembourg, and others have recognized the State of Palestine, joining over 150 UN member states that already do so.
These moves have left the United States and Israel increasingly isolated in their refusal to endorse Palestinian statehood. Trump, in his address to the UNGA, argued that such recognitions only “encourage continued conflict” by “rewarding Hamas.” His comments stood in sharp contrast to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who asserted that Palestinian statehood “is a right, not a reward.”
This divergence illustrates the widening gulf between Washington’s position and that of much of the international community.
Challenges to Trump’s Proposal
While Trump described the Gaza talks as “successful,” significant challenges remain:
- Exclusion of Hamas: Any plan that sidelines Hamas faces questions about feasibility, given the group’s deep entrenchment in Gaza.
- Israeli Resistance: Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly rejected any significant role for the Palestinian Authority, let alone Hamas, raising doubts about whether Israel would accept Trump’s vision.
- Regional Commitments: Arab and Muslim nations may be hesitant to send troops into Gaza without clear guarantees, fearing public backlash at home and the risk of being seen as legitimizing Israeli actions.
- Humanitarian Urgency: Even as diplomacy unfolds, the humanitarian crisis worsens daily, creating pressure for immediate relief rather than long-term plans.
Erdogan’s Growing Role
President Erdogan has long positioned himself as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, often clashing with Israel on the world stage. His endorsement of Trump’s initiative as “fruitful” suggests a pragmatic willingness to engage in multilateral diplomacy despite deep disagreements with Washington.
Analysts say Erdogan may be seeking to leverage his influence both within the Muslim world and in NATO to shape the post-war settlement in Gaza. His cooperation with Trump could also signal Ankara’s attempt to balance relations with Washington amid tensions over defense, trade, and regional security.
“The One Man Who Can Change Things”
Al Jazeera’s Diplomatic Editor James Bays noted during coverage of the meeting that many diplomats at the UN believe Trump remains “the one man who can change things.”
Despite Washington’s consistent backing of Israel — militarily, financially, and diplomatically — Trump’s unique influence over Netanyahu and close ties with Gulf leaders may place him in a position to broker compromises that have eluded others.
Still, skeptics argue that without a genuine commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict, including occupation and the demand for Palestinian statehood, any short-term plan will falter.
Conclusion: A Fragile Step Toward Peace
Erdogan and other Muslim leaders have hailed the Trump Gaza meeting UNGA 2025 as a positive and necessary step in addressing the Gaza crisis. While details of Trump’s plan remain vague, the involvement of key Arab and Muslim nations signals a growing willingness to take ownership of the peace process.
However, the path forward is fraught with obstacles — from Hamas’s exclusion to Israel’s rigid stance, and from the worsening humanitarian crisis to questions about international funding and peacekeeping commitments.
What is clear is that the Gaza war has pushed the global community to a breaking point. With tens of thousands dead and international pressure mounting, any attempt at serious dialogue is welcome. Whether Trump’s initiative can translate into meaningful change remains to be seen. Still, for now, it has at least provided a fragile opening for hope.
