President-elect Donald Trump has returned to the United States with a firm and clear message: bringing the Israeli hostages home is at the top of his strategic priorities.
In recent days, the White House spokesperson repeatedly emphasized Trump’s personal commitment to the issue in response to journalists’ questions, stating that the president is “being updated directly” on the details of the negotiations and is involved at the heart of the decision-making process.
Yet it seems the real drama is unfolding behind the scenes, ahead of an extraordinary summit expected to take place this coming Tuesday in Riyadh, where Trump is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). According to Gulf sources, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—whom I’ve mentioned in connection with a regional "mega-deal" since February—are also expected to attend.
This combination of key Arab figures with a leader who openly aspires to become a historic figure may signal an attempt to form a comprehensive regional "mega-deal"—one that doesn’t just address Gaza’s future, but broader issues such as reconstruction, ending the war, and borders.