Saudi Plans Seek Trump Backing for Palestinian State, Gaza Ceasefire, Regional Normalization

As President Trump visits Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is seeking his support for a comprehensive Middle East peace deal that includes establishing a demilitarized Palestinian state, ending the war in Gaza through dismantling Hamas, and normalizing ties between Israel and Arab countries. Saudi officials express optimism that Trump will back these proposals despite some negotiable details, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of Palestinian statehood and war termination. Concurrently, the US is quietly urging Israel to agree to an immediate Gaza ceasefire, a key Saudi condition for restarting normalization talks. While Trump’s itinerary excludes Israel, reflecting a shift toward unilateral US Middle East policy, data shows a majority of Israeli Jews trust Trump more than their own leaders to broker such a regional agreement. However, Saudi Arabia faces economic challenges that complicate its ambitious $1 trillion investment pledge to the US during Trump's presidency, raising questions about the feasibility of its financial commitments amid ongoing geopolitical negotiations. These developments highlight the intertwined nature of diplomacy, investment, and regional security amid efforts to reshape Middle East relations.