Trump Hosts Muslim Leaders to Present Gaza Peace Plan at UNGA
NEW YORK: Following a fiery address at the United Nations General Assembly, where he opposed growing global recognition of a Palestinian state, US President Donald Trump convened a high-level meeting with leaders of Muslim-majority countries to present Washington’s plan for ending the conflict in Gaza.
Pakistan represented at the meeting
Pakistan was represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, and Indonesia. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 80th UNGA session, marked an unprecedented display of diplomatic coordination.
Trump emphasised the urgency of resolving the crisis, saying:
“We have to get the hostages back … This is the group that can do it, more than any other group in the world.”
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli strikes in Gaza in response to Hamas attacks and hostage-taking have killed more than 65,000 people, mostly civilians.
Pakistan’s stance
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump’s commitment, calling him “a man of peace,” and highlighted the US role in preventing a potential conflict between India and Pakistan in May. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described Gaza as a “graveyard for humanity” and urged concrete international action.
Pakistan’s engagement reflects a careful balance: constructive dialogue with the US while advocating Palestinian sovereignty, international law, and a two-state solution.
Key elements of Trump’s plan
According to reports, the proposal includes:
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Immediate ceasefire and release of hostages
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Phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
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Governance excluding Hamas, involving the Palestinian Authority
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Deployment of Arab and Muslim peacekeepers to ensure security
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Internationally funded reconstruction and transition programs
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the plan as a long-term approach to ensure Palestinians have territory to govern, while preventing attacks on Israel.
Challenges ahead
The plan faces significant hurdles: excluding Hamas risks alienating many Palestinians, regional consensus is uncertain, and humanitarian realities are dire with tens of thousands of civilians killed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautioned that proposals affecting Gaza without local consent could threaten world peace.
Humanitarian and political implications
Trump’s initiative aims to reshape Gaza’s political landscape, empowering the Palestinian Authority while deploying regional peacekeepers. Pakistan stresses legality, human rights, and a two-state solution to maintain credibility among Muslim-majority nations and the international community.
Looking ahead
The UNGA meeting represents a bold US attempt to mediate a complex conflict. For Pakistan, the challenge is to ensure that diplomacy upholds justice, protects human life, and supports the possibility of a sovereign, viable Palestine. Rubio described the meeting as “one last shot” to secure hostages and provide humanitarian relief in Gaza.
