Trump’s Gaza Peace Push Gains Muslim Bloc Attention

At the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, US President Donald Trump surprised many with a shift in tone. After a strong speech opposing international recognition of Palestinian statehood, he turned to Muslim leaders for support in brokering a peace plan for Gaza.

The meeting brought together key figures including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Trump told the gathering: “This is the group that can do it… We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately.”

A “Ceasefire-for-Prisoners” Deal

Trump’s proposal centers around a ceasefire in exchange for the release of prisoners held in Gaza. He argued that greater recognition of Palestine at the UN would “reward atrocities,” urging instead for immediate humanitarian relief and prisoner recovery.

According to sources, Trump’s peace plan includes:

Phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

Deployment of regional peacekeeping troops

An internationally supported transition and reconstruction process

A role for the Palestinian Authority, but not Hamas

This vision, insiders say, is Washington’s way of engaging Arab and Muslim nations directly in Gaza’s stabilization, while ensuring Israel’s security interests.

Muslim Leaders React

During the meeting, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim thanked Trump for hosting at such a critical moment, saying their collective priority was to end the war and secure the release of prisoners.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump’s commitment, calling him “a man of peace” and recalling the US president’s past role in diffusing tensions between India and Pakistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also attended the talks alongside him.

Regional & Global Implications

If successful, Trump’s initiative could mark one of the most significant international peace efforts in recent years. However, the exclusion of Hamas and the reliance on Arab states to provide peacekeeping forces and funding remain contentious.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the move as “one last shot at ending the conflict in Gaza,” stressing that only a negotiated settlement could ensure lasting peace.