The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the recent visit of Steve Witkoff, the envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi did not go as Washington had anticipated. According to the paper, the Saudis set two firm conditions for any participation in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Quoting a Saudi diplomatic source, Israel Hayom said that Saudi Arabia rejected the American request to take a leading role in Trump’s post-war plan for Gaza, which includes involvement in security forces, civil administration, and reconstruction investments.
The source stated that the Saudi response delivered to the U.S. envoys was unequivocal:
“Saudi Arabia will not participate unless two essential conditions are met — first, the disarmament of Hamas and its removal from authority; and second, the early involvement of the Palestinian Authority in reconstruction and governance responsibilities.”
The same source noted that the discussion on this issue was brief, as most of the meeting focused on another topic: the security agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Concerns Over Qatar’s Expanding Role
A senior Saudi official expressed deep concern over the comprehensive security pact signed between Washington and Qatar, saying:
“This means that Qatar will ensure Hamas remains in Gaza and returns to power at the first opportunity.”
The newspaper recalled that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had previously issued strong criticism of U.S. efforts to strengthen Qatar’s regional influence.
According to the report, the Saudis now demand a parallel security agreement — at minimum equal, but preferably under better terms — and have voiced concerns that Qatar continues to support branches of the Muslim Brotherhood across the Middle East, undermining stability in Arab nations.
Israel’s Position and Saudi Conditions
Israel Hayom added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the first Saudi condition — the dismantling of Hamas — but was far more troubled by the second, which calls for the Palestinian Authority’s involvement in governance.
It further noted that Riyadh’s support for the Palestinian Authority is conditional on comprehensive internal reforms, including measures to counter extremism, though these details were not raised in the latest meeting.
The paper also reported that Kushner and Witkoff carried messages from Israel to the Saudis regarding the post-war phase, prospects of normalisation, and the expansion of the so-called Abraham Accords.
However, the discussions made it clear that without a genuine path toward establishing a Palestinian state — as outlined in the Saudi peace initiative — there will be no political progress or further participation in these accords.
The Emirati Stance: Diplomatic but Firm
In the United Arab Emirates, the response was — as usual — more diplomatically worded, yet carried the same message.
The UAE, the report said, is already involved in rehabilitating infrastructure and humanitarian zones in areas under Israeli control.
According to the official statement, discussions between the U.S. envoys and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, the national security adviser and brother of the UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed, focused on ways to stabilise the region and the need to end the war.
But comments by Anwar Gargash, senior diplomatic adviser to the Emirati leadership and a key figure in UAE foreign policy, revealed a clearer position. Gargash indicated that any large-scale Emirati engagement would depend on Hamas’ departure from the scene, even if the movement was not mentioned by name.
“Returning to the pre-October 7 status quo would not be wise and would not contribute to a solution,” Gargash stated.
“The UAE supports U.S. initiatives, but under two conditions: clarity about the future political framework, and the need for a stable security foundation. We will not send our sons into a battlefield without a clear understanding of the situation on the ground.”
Regional Implications and Gulf Reservations
According to Israel Hayom, the message is now unmistakable:
The UAE will likely continue providing humanitarian aid and reconstruction funding in safe zones, but — along with Saudi Arabia — will remain outside the political process for the time being.
This vacuum leaves Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey with the dominant influence in the post-war stage — precisely the outcome the Gulf states feared.
