Amman, Jordan - November 4, 2023
The foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Amman on Saturday to discuss a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting comes after weeks of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in hundreds of casualties.
It is unclear what specific proposals the US will make at the meeting, but some experts believe that the US may try to pressure the Arab states to support Israel's efforts to weaken Hamas. The US has long been a staunch ally of Israel, and has provided the country with billions of dollars in military aid over the years.
However, the Arab states have also expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and have called for an immediate ceasefire. It is therefore possible that the meeting could end in a stalemate, with the US and the Arab states unable to agree on a way to end the conflict.
Analysis
The fact that the US is meeting with the foreign ministers of Arab countries to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza is a positive sign. It suggests that the US is taking the conflict seriously and is committed to finding a solution. However, the fact that the US is also pushing for support for Israel suggests that the meeting could be fraught with tension.
The Arab states are unlikely to support Israel's efforts to weaken Hamas, as they see Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement. They are also unlikely to agree to any ceasefire that does not address the underlying causes of the conflict, such as Israel's blockade of Gaza and the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
It is therefore possible that the meeting could end in a stalemate. However, it is also possible that the US and the Arab states could be able to reach a compromise that would lead to a ceasefire and a more lasting solution to the conflict.
Only time will tell what the outcome of the meeting will be. However, the fact that the meeting is taking place at all is a sign of hope.
