The US is trying to calm Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and bring them back on board with Donald Trump's Gaza plan. As part of this effort, Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and advisor, and envoy Steve Witkoff recently met in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi with senior Saudi and Emirati officials, assuring them that their status as regional powerhouses would remain intact and that they would not be harmed by the strengthening US-Qatar ties.
Israel Hayom previously reported on Saudi and Emirati criticism over the US promoting Qatar as a regional leader, particularly following the signing of an extensive military deal with Doha. A senior Saudi official told Israel Hayom that this effectively means Qatar would work to keep Hamas in Gaza and help it return to power at the first opportunity. Both Gulf states have threatened to pull out of Gaza reconstruction efforts, especially in areas under Hamas control.
The criticism was relayed to Washington, which has since been trying to reassure its allies that the shift toward Qatar would not come at their expense. Israel Hayom has learned that during their visit, Kushner and Witkoff conveyed messages from Israel to the Saudis concerning the post-war phase, normalization efforts, and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.
US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to meet with the IDF General Staff on Thursday. In addition to offering praise for Israel's management of the war – echoing remarks made by Trump during his speech in the Knesset – Vance is expected to stress that any forthcoming military move could have far-reaching consequences, and that Israel must proceed with utmost caution.
Vance will receive briefings on the destruction of Hamas military infrastructure, the establishment of humanitarian zones in IDF-controlled areas of the Gaza Strip, and Israel's involvement in the ongoing multinational reconstruction initiative. Also arriving in Israel Thursday for a quick visit is US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is expected to finalize key principles regarding the composition and nature of the future civil administration and security force that will assume responsibility. Discussions are also expected to touch on a specific plan for disarming Hamas. As reported earlier, according to US diplomatic sources, progress has been made on this front in talks between mediators and the terrorist group.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Vance made a particularly noteworthy statement about the future of the Middle East in the era of the Abraham Accords. Vance, known for supporting US isolationist policies – namely, ending the country's role as the world's policeman – said in response to a question from a journalist that it is in the US interest for America's regional allies to ensure stability and relieve Washington of the concern over what happens in the Middle East.
