The True Post (Web News) The eyes of the world remained fixed on Washington as US President Donald Trump and the leaders of eight Muslim countries gathered at the same table.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the head of the United Arab Emirates held lengthy talks with the US president. The meeting was not just a formal meeting, but is being seen as a defining moment regarding the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the future of the region.
Gaza is currently a scene of devastation. Thousands of deaths, millions of displaced people, and the destruction of infrastructure have plunged the region into a humanitarian catastrophe. The United States, on the one hand, Israel’s biggest supporter, now wants the Muslim world to pay the price for this war with its own role — whether it’s deploying peacekeepers or providing financial assistance for reconstruction.
Trump’s stance
President Trump has openly stated that recognizing a Palestinian state would be tantamount to “giving a reward to Hamas.” He called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the 38 hostages, while also appealing to Muslim countries to take practical steps to bring peace to Gaza.
Position of Muslim leaders
During the meeting, each leader presented their own proposals. Saudi Arabia and Qatar indicated financial support for reconstruction, Turkey emphasized a political solution, while Pakistan and Indonesia called humanitarian assistance a top priority. However, no joint plan of action emerged. After the meeting, all leaders quietly left the hall, although Trump told the media that “this meeting was a great success.”
What is going to happen in the future?
1. Possibility of peacekeeping forces
US President Trump has urged Muslim countries to consider sending a joint peacekeeping force to Gaza to facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces. If this plan becomes a reality, it would apparently bring temporary peace to the Palestinian people and hope for peace and security in the region. However, this move could also create new risks, as Hamas and the Palestinian people could see it as “foreign intervention” or another occupation. On the other hand, Israel would see the plan as a relief for itself, as it would thus escape direct military pressure.
2. The burden of reconstruction
Gaza is currently in ruins and trillions of dollars are needed to rebuild it. Resource-rich countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have the capacity to provide financial support, while countries like Pakistan, Turkey, and Indonesia can contribute technical expertise and manpower. This step will give the Muslim world an opportunity to increase its “political weight” on the global stage, but the question is whether this support will be long-lasting or will it be limited to temporary relief.
3. The Palestinian State Debate
The biggest and most complex question is whether Palestine will be formally recognized as an independent state? Europe and many Muslim countries are in favor of this, while the United States and Israel are still opposing it. President Trump has stated in clear terms that recognizing a Palestinian state would be tantamount to “giving a reward to Hamas.” This stance could not only affect relations between the Muslim world and the United States in the future, but could also once again stall peace efforts in the Middle East. If this issue is not resolved, reconstruction and peacekeeping efforts will not be able to produce lasting results.
Who will benefit?
If the possible outcomes of this meeting are examined closely, the first to benefit will be the United States and President Trump, who will be able to claim in their electoral and diplomatic politics that they have achieved a major success by bringing the Muslim world together on their terms. On the other hand, Israel will also get relief from this process because direct military pressure in Gaza will be reduced and the harsh criticism against it at the global level will also be somewhat mitigated. This will be an opportunity for Muslim countries to present themselves as a “guarantor of peace”, which will not only increase their international reputation but also make their role in global decision-making more prominent. However, while the Palestinian people will certainly receive immediate reconstruction, humanitarian aid and temporary peace, the dream of establishing an independent and full Palestinian state will remain unfulfilled.
Challenges
Although this meeting is being considered a major diplomatic breakthrough, several major challenges stand in its way. First, there are the differences among Muslim countries, which could be the biggest obstacle to implementing any common strategy. Different countries do not have the same regional interests, political ideologies, and relationships with world powers, which may make it difficult to formulate a unified course of action. The second major challenge is the reaction of the Palestinian people and Hamas themselves, because if foreign forces enter Gaza, the people may consider it another “foreign occupation,” which could lead to new resistance. The third and most complex issue is related to Israel’s behavior and the US’s dual policy. Israel’s stubbornness and intransigence can sabotage any peace plan, while the US, on the one hand, talks about peace and on the other, continues to unconditionally support Israel. This contradiction makes the entire process uncertain and unsustainable.
This meeting in Washington seems like a glimmer of hope, but the real test will be in the months ahead. Will the Muslim world really be willing to make military and financial sacrifices in Gaza? And will the Palestinian people accept the plan or see it as another “foreign occupation”? These questions remain open, but one thing is certain: this meeting between Trump and Muslim leaders will be remembered as a turning point in Middle Eastern history — whether the outcome is positive or negative.
