Speculation is rising ahead of the Gulf-US summit scheduled for mid-May in Riyadh, with a senior Gulf diplomatic source suggesting that US President Donald Trump may announce official American recognition of a Palestinian state—excluding Hamas from any governance role. This revelation, made to The Media Line by an anonymous Gulf official, aligns with Trump’s previous statements, describing the announcement as a “very important” development during his second official visit to Saudi Arabia in his second term.
The summit, which will bring together Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders, is widely seen as an opportunity for Trump to unveil a new phase in US-Middle East diplomacy. This follows his previous visit to Riyadh in May 2017, which marked a significant moment in US relations with Gulf states. Analysts suggest that recognition of a Palestinian state, contingent on Hamas being excluded, could radically shift US policy and foster further normalization agreements between Arab states and Israel.
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While there is no official confirmation from the White House, Trump recently hinted at an impending historic announcement during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The announcement, if made, would be a game-changing declaration, potentially altering the geopolitical landscape of the region. The summit in Riyadh is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including security cooperation, military deals, and emerging partnerships in artificial intelligence and nuclear energy.
The speculation also raises questions about how the Palestinian leadership, particularly the Palestinian Authority, would respond to such a recognition. Given that Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and is a designated terrorist organization by the US and EU, the move would be seen as a strategic maneuver to gain Arab support while marginalizing the Islamist group.
