Ankara, Riyadh exchange views on Gaza, Syria, and regional stability

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan held a phone conversation to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and Syria, according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Both Türkiye and Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, most of them women and children, Caliber.Az reports referring to Turkish media.

Additionally, Ankara and Riyadh rejected US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt, calling the plan unacceptable and a violation of Palestinian rights.

The two nations also expressed their backing for Syria’s new administration following the removal of Bashar al-Assad and pledged assistance in rebuilding the country’s war-torn economy. After more than a decade of civil war, both Türkiye and Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of stabilizing Syria and fostering economic recovery.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has released a report estimating that rebuilding Gaza will require an estimated $53 billion. Of this, $22.5 billion will be needed in the first three years, according to Caliber.Az citing Israeli media.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the difficulty of fully assessing the damage but stressed that Gaza’s reconstruction would demand massive financial and logistical efforts.

The report also revealed:

• Gaza’s economy shrank by 83% in 2024.
• Unemployment surged to 80%.
• 74% of the population now lives below the poverty line, compared to 38% in late 2023.

The immediate priorities, according to the UN, include protecting civilians from ongoing violence and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need without disruption.

Amid ongoing discussions, Egypt has announced plans to present a “comprehensive proposal” for Gaza’s reconstruction, underscoring that Palestinians must remain on their land. Cairo aims to work with international partners to promote a lasting and just peace in the region.

Earlier, Donald Trump proposed an ambitious but controversial plan to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” His vision includes relocating around 2 million Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, followed by a massive redevelopment of Gaza under US supervision.

Trump’s proposal has sparked strong opposition from Palestinians and Arab states, who dismiss the plan as unrealistic and unacceptable. Critics argue that the initiative would strip Palestinians of their homeland and undermine their national aspirations.

By Tamilla Hasanova