• Arab leaders convened in Riyadh to counter U.S. President Trump's Gaza plan.
• The summit, called by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, included leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and other Gulf states.
• Reconstruction of Gaza, estimated at over $53 billion, became a focal point of the discussions.

In a crucial meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 21, 2025, Arab leaders gathered to develop a coordinated response to U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to assume control of the Gaza Strip, which entails displacing its over two million inhabitants to neighboring countries Channel News Asia. The summit, attended by leaders from Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plus other Arab states, was described by experts as a historic juncture in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict.Andreas Krieg of King’s College London noted that Trump's suggestions could lead to "new facts on the ground that are irreversible," hence necessitating a united Arab front.

During the closed-door discussions, the leaders focused on establishing a reconstruction plan to address the devastation of Gaza, which has suffered prolonged conflict over the past 15 months. Current estimates from the United Nations suggest that rebuilding efforts will require more than $53 billion. Discussions also touched upon the urgent need for a synchronized strategy to oppose any unilateral actions implied by the Trump administration Le Monde.

The attendees included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and other Gulf monarchs. The official Saudi Press Agency reported that this informal meeting served as a platform for an "exchange of views on various regional and international issues," particularly surrounding cooperative efforts to bolster the Palestinian cause and the situation in Gaza Al Jazeera.

Former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined a potential three-phase reconstruction strategy that includes initial debris removal efforts, followed by an international conference to solidify infrastructure restoration plans, and finally ensuring adequate housing and essential services while advancing a political framework aimed at realizing a two-state solution. However, the plan's viability hinges heavily on securing appropriate funding South China Morning Post.

This gathering also serves as a buildup to an upcoming emergency Arab League summit scheduled for March 4, where the outcome of this Riyadh meeting will be formally presented. The leaders aim to emerge with a cohesive strategy to effectively advocate for Palestinian rights and prevent further displacement The Jakarta Post.