The Trump-MBS meeting created an opening for concrete action on Gaza’s postwar transition
In today’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the needle moved (ever so slightly) on Saudi Arabia’s role in Gaza, and on the long-overdue question of how to fund Gaza’s transition under the newly United Nations-mandated International Stabilization Force (ISF).
When asked about Saudi Arabia’s contribution to Gaza’s reconstruction, Trump publicly affirmed that Riyadh will play a major role, an assertion that MBS did not contradict or waiver on. Trump reassured that “there is no amount being claimed. It will be a lot. But we will definitely help. . . Yeah, he’s going to—it’s very important to [MBS].” This is a significant on-the-record diplomatic signal.
MBS also reiterated that Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords remains contingent on a credible pathway to a two-state solution. His remarks underscored that this demand was not merely a symbolic or performative act, but rather a principled prerequisite for engagement. This comes at a critical time, when the two-state solution has largely fallen out of political favor with many.
Taken together, these statements created a real opening to channel broad political intentions into concrete commitments to funding Gaza’s transition and ensuring a two-state pathway.
This is a moment to consolidate this momentum. A Gaza Stabilization Fund, backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab and Muslim partners, as well as European donors, would create a structured mechanism of the kind envisioned by the UN Security Council resolution that passed yesterday. Such a fund, possibly operated by the World Bank or another similar multilateral institution, could provide clear donor commitments, transparency, and oversight. It could also support the development of benchmarks for funding that are tied to governance, reconstruction achievements, and progress toward a two-state framework.
If today’s signals from Trump and MBS can catalyze donor alignment, the fund can be established quickly enough to actually support the immediate needs for Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian activities, and begin the process of funding for the ISF, reconstruction, and Gaza’s political transition.
For more on this meeting, and the context for Gaza - see the recent New Atlanticist publication by deputy director for Realign For Palestine,
How Trump can leverage the Saudi crown prince’s visit to help secure Gaza’s future
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