President Donald Trump met leaders from the Arab and Muslim world on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, terming the gathering his “most important meeting” so far, amid his ongoing efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
“We want to end the war in Gaza. We’re going to end it. Maybe we can end it right now,” he told reporters before the session began, reports Times of Israel.
“This is my most important meeting because we’re going to end something that should have probably never started.”
The meeting was attended by the heads of state of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan. The US President stated that the talks brought together “all of the big players except for Israel, but that’s going to be next,” in an apparent nod to his forthcoming meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Trump also complimented Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s speech to the General Assembly earlier, in which Subianto said peace requires guaranteeing Israel’s security.
Following the meeting, Trump simply waved to gathered news reporters, offering no comment. The White House has likewise maintained silence.
However, the meeting was apparently a positive one as alluded by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who while not offering any comment, gave a thumbs-up to reporters upon being asked.
Both Trump and Witkoff had been expected to present the American framework for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and administration, a plan shaped in recent months by the former UK prime minister Tony Blair.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the meeting with Trump as “very fruitful,” despite his harsh criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
A NATO member state – Turkey has rejected the military option chosen by Jerusalem, decrying the move as amounting to genocide — something which no action can justify. Jerusalem has strongly refuted all charges of carrying out genocide in Gaza.
Turkey – in light of its increasing diplomatic hostilities with Israel — has halted all trade with the Jewish state, urging the international community to enact strong measures against Jerusalem, and demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The Emirati state news agency WAM said the talks focused on halting the conflict and securing a permanent ceasefire. According to the agency, participants also stressed the release of hostages and measures to confront the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as urgent priorities.
