Middle East Leaders Meet to Counter Trump on Gaza
NEED TO KNOW
Middle East Leaders Meet to Counter Trump on Gaza
MIDDLE EAST
After US President Donald Trump said he wanted the US to “own” Gaza, eject more than 2 million Palestinians to Jordan or Egypt, and rebuild the enclave as the “Riviera of the Middle East,” the US’ Arab allies in the region got busy.
While not explicitly condemning the plan as much of the rest of the world did, they firmly rejected moving Palestinians from Gaza. Then they met to create their own plan.
In mid-February, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states gathered in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in “an informal brotherly gathering” and began grappling with the “day after” the war.
The Gaza Strip, after almost 15 months of war before the ceasefire, is devastated. About 90 percent of homes are uninhabitable. Most schools, shops, hospitals, roads, agricultural land, and water and energy systems are destroyed. It is estimated that reconstruction will take decades and cost more than $50 billion.
After the meeting, the Arab royals and ministers didn’t hold a press conference as usual or release details of the discussion or any hint of a plan. But analysts said it was mainly focused on coordinating their ideas ahead of a March 4 Arab League summit in Cairo because, at the end of the day, they know they must do something.
Trump’s plan, they believe, would deeply destabilize the region.
For Jordan, specifically, it would cause an “existential” crisis. About half to two-thirds of Jordan’s population of 11 million people are of Palestinian origin. For Jordan to take in millions more would not only deeply affect the demographics of the country and its national identity but could threaten it politically and economically, analysts say.
For Egypt, meanwhile, the idea is destabilizing to their security regime and could ignite mass protests that threaten the government.
And for both, it would likely fuel extremism and turn their territories into launchpads for Palestinian attacks on Israel, which would mean war with Israel. “(The plan) is the recipe for Western-friendly Arab regimes to disintegrate,” wrote Chatham House. “A US takeover of Palestinian land would renew the legitimacy of Iran’s proxies across the region, if not trigger a regional war.”
Trump, annoyed by the hard “no” from these two allies, Jordan and Egypt, said he would use US aid as a lever to force them to agree to his plan before backing off from that threat.
Both Egypt and Jordan have relied heavily for decades on US foreign aid for security, infrastructure, and governance, with Egypt receiving about $1.4 billion a year and Jordan receiving about $1.72 billion annually.
Analysts said to avoid being forced into accepting the plan, Egypt and Jordan might start to look elsewhere for funding – to their allies in the Gulf, for example, or even to Russia or China. Meanwhile, Egypt has already warned that any mass transfer of Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula bordering Gaza could undermine its peace treaty with Israel, which dates back to 1979. Jordan’s treaty with Israel was signed in 1994.
Many around the Arab world, in Europe, and elsewhere describe the plan to relocate Palestinians as “ethnic cleansing,” and a “war crime.”
Palestinians themselves say Trump’s plan for Gaza and the promise of a fresh start in a new country ignores the demand at the center of their aspirations and all of their wars with Israel – the right to live with dignity and equal rights in their historic homeland – and invokes “painful memories of dispossession and exile,” during the Nakba, wrote Al Jazeera. That refers to the forced expulsion of more than 750,000 Palestinians in 1948 during the first Arab-Israeli war following Israel’s foundation.
Israel supports it, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “remarkable idea,” saying it encourages “voluntary migration.” He added that the Israeli Defense Forces have been told to prepare for it.
Israeli officials have also suggested that Saudi Arabia, Norway, or other European countries critical of Israel’s conduct in the war take in Palestinians.
Meanwhile, the counterplan developed by Egypt, according to Al-Ahram newspaper, which is close to the Egyptian government, was in part to “block any other ideas or plans that aim to change the geographical and demographic composition of the Gaza Strip.”
It includes establishing three so-called safe areas for Palestinians to live in as Egyptian and other international companies rebuild the enclave over five years.
Egypt’s plan also dictates that Hamas give up governance of Gaza. Most Gulf states and the West won’t commit funds if Hamas remains in charge.
Hamas has told NPR it is willing to give up power – even as it said it would retain the right to maintain arms against Israel. It also said it would accept a Palestinian unity government without Hamas’ participation or a committee of technocrats to run the territory.
Egypt’s plan also shuts out the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority has so far opposed any plans for Gaza that exclude it. It plans to present a counterplan at the Cairo summit.
Meanwhile, all of the leaders at the Riyadh meeting, and especially Israel’s ally, the UAE, say that any plan to reconstruct Gaza with Arab funds must include the establishment of a Palestinian state, which Israel opposes. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering,” said Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry.
However, the post-war reconstruction of Gaza will need Israel’s approval and Arab support to help shoulder the cost of rebuilding and the possible deployment of troops for security, say analysts.
Still, no Arab state will commit funds for reconstruction with the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza still shaky.
The first phase of the ceasefire expired March 1. Israel and Hamas are currently negotiating the second of three phases, with the second phase intended to see the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, and a long-term halt to the war.
Another tricky issue is that Israel’s goal to eliminate Hamas was unsuccessful. As a result, far-right ministers in Israel’s government want to restart the war – as does Netanyahu, who needs the far-right parties for his political survival.
The path out of this war is tricky, and Trump’s plan is a distraction, Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute think tank told ABC News. However, if the Arab leaders don’t come up with a plan, they know what is coming.
Last week, Trump posted a video on Truth Social showing a visualization of the transformation of Gaza into a Dubai-like resort featuring a golden statue of himself, Trump advisor Elon Musk eating hummus, belly dancers, casinos, and shirtless American and Israeli leaders lounging on a beach.
“Donald’s coming to set you free, bringing the light for all to see,” a voice sings over a dance beat. “Trump Gaza is finally here!”
THE WORLD, BRIEFLY
Malaysian Anti-Graft Officials Target Former Prime Minister
MALAYSIA
Malaysian authorities named former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as a suspect in a major corruption probe involving nearly $157 million in government funds, the latest in a series of high-profile corruption cases involving former leaders, the South China Morning Post reported.
On Monday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed that Ismail – who was previously treated as a witness – is now under investigation, with authorities set to question him on Wednesday.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the probe centers on alleged embezzlement related to the “Keluarga Malaysia” – or Malaysian Family – public relations campaign launched during Ismail Sabri’s tenure from August 2021 to November 2022.
The campaign, intended to promote national unity and economic recovery post-COVID-19, is now suspected of financial misconduct. Authorities have seized nearly $38 million in cash in multiple currencies, along with around 35 pounds of gold bars worth more than $1.5 million, in properties linked to the former prime minister, Channel News Asia added.
The MACC has also frozen 13 bank accounts totaling more than $440,000 and arrested four of Ismail’s former senior aides last month in connection with the case.
The former leader has not publicly commented on the allegations.
Critics have accused current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of using corruption investigations to target political opponents. Anwar, however, has denied allegations of selective prosecution, saying his government is committed to anti-corruption efforts regardless of suspects’ political affiliations.
The MACC has also insisted that the investigation is not politically motivated, but analysts noted that such high-profile cases often involve both legal and political elements, the Straits Times wrote.
The case adds to Malaysia’s ongoing battle with high-level corruption, following similar charges against former prime ministers Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin.
Iran’s ‘Progressive’ VP Quits Amid Conservative Pressure, Threats
IRAN
Iran’s former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, a key architect of the 2015 nuclear deal with the US and Europe, resigned from his position as vice president for strategic affairs Monday, marking a major setback for President Masoud Pezeshkian’s reformist government as hardliners consolidate power, the Times of Israel reported.
Zarif announced his resignation on social media, citing “the most horrible insults, slander, and threats” against himself and his family. He indicated that Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, recommended his departure to “prevent further pressure on the government.”
Pezeshkian has not yet confirmed whether he has accepted the resignation, but analysts see Zarif’s departure as a sign of the administration’s weakening influence.
Zarif has long been a target of Iranian hardliners, who have opposed his diplomatic outreach and negotiations with Western powers. He is known for his key role in securing the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal that saw Iran give up its uranium enrichment efforts in return for the lifting of Western sanctions.
But that deal collapsed in 2018 after the first Trump administration withdrew the US from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
Trump’s return to office in 2025 has led to further economic restrictions, reinforcing opposition from Iranian conservatives to engagement efforts with the West.
Analysts warned that Zarif’s departure signals a more hardline shift in Tehran, adding that the Iranian president could have “worse days ahead.” The Iranian stock market reacted negatively to both Zarif’s resignation and the recent impeachment of Finance Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, prompting fears of further economic instability, according to the Guardian.
Pezeshkian, who campaigned on improving Iran’s international relations, now faces pressure to align with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s directive against negotiations with the US.
Meanwhile, Iran’s acceleration of uranium enrichment has increased concerns that it may be moving toward nuclear capability, raising the risk of regional escalation.
Indian Theater Chain Causes ‘Mental Agony’ With Too Many Ads, Court Rules
INDIA
An Indian court ordered a movie theater chain to pay damages to a film-goer for wasting his time and causing “mental agony” because it played too many commercials before the film began, CNN reported.
The case began after a man filed a complaint against the PVR INOX theater company, saying the theater wasted his time, forced him to cancel work commitments, and led him to suffer mentally after it showed 25 minutes of commercials before screening the movie in December 2023.
The schedule at the PVR multiplex in the southern city of Bangalore suggested the 2-hour, 25-minute war drama, “Sam Bahadur,” was due to be screened from 4:05 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. but it finished later than expected due to public service announcements and commercials that caused the complainant, 31-year-old lawyer Abhishek M. R., “losses which cannot be calculated in terms of money,” he said.
Abhishek sued PVR INOX for $574 in damages, $57 for mental agony, and $115 to cover legal costs.
Bangalore’s District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission agreed with the plaintiff and ruled last month in Abhishek’s favor, saying that nowadays, time is as valuable as money and people can’t afford to “sit idle in the theatre” and watch unnecessary commercials, NBC News reported.
The movie chain claimed it was required to show 10 minutes of public service announcements before screenings, but the court ruled it violated regulations by playing ads instead, mandated that movies start on time, and ordered the chain to pay the complainant $230 in damages and $92 in costs.
The chain will also have to pay $1,148 to the Consumer Welfare Fund, an organization that protects consumers.
DISCOVERIES
Attila’s Huns Are More Diverse Than Originally Thought, Researchers Say
For centuries, the origins of the Huns – who swept into Europe in the late fourth century CE and helped bring down the Roman Empire – have been shrouded in mystery.
Some historians have linked them to the earlier Xiongnu Empire of Mongolia, while others say they were a loose confederation of steppe nomads.
Now, a new study shows that the answer isn’t so simple: The Huns were a genetically diverse mix of people, with only a few carrying direct ties to the Xiongnu elite.
To arrive at this conclusion, an international team of researchers analyzed 370 ancient genomes from across Eurasia, spanning 800 years from the Xiongnu period (209 BCE – 100 CE) to the Huns’ dominance in Europe between the fourth and sixth centuries CE.
Using a technique called identity-by-descent (IBD) segment-sharing, they found that while a handful of European Hun-period individuals were directly related to elite Xiongnu individuals, most of the population showed a much broader mix of ancestries.
“It came as a surprise to discover that few of these Hun-period individuals in Europe share IBD links with some of the highest-ranking imperial elite individuals from the late Xiongnu Empire,” co-author Guido Gnecchi-Ruscone of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany said in a statement.
One standout case was a Hun woman buried in Hungary with gold earrings and an elongated skull – the skull showed she was part of a tradition of skull modification linked to the Xiongnu elite.
However, outside of these elite burials, the genetic footprint of East Asian ancestry was relatively small.
“DNA and archeological evidence reveal a patchwork of ancestries, pointing to a complex process of mobility and interaction rather than a mass migration,” said Zsófia Rácz, a co-author of the study, in the statement.
The findings also contrast sharply with the later arrival of the Avars in the sixth century. Co-author Walter Pohl explained that the Avars were a more cohesive group originating directly from East Asia, adding that “many of their descendants still carried considerable East Asian ancestry until the end of their rule in (circa) 800 CE.”
“The ancestors of Attila’s Huns … on their way westward … mixed with populations across Eurasia,” he added.
The researchers hope that future studies may further clarify the social structures and interactions that defined the Huns and their role in reshaping Europe during Late Antiquity.