Trump Seeks Saudi Help to End Gaza War Amid Plans for First Foreign Visit to Riyadh
Haaretz reports U.S. sees Mohammed bin Salman as key to influencing Netanyahu; war’s end may be tied to Saudi-Israeli normalization.
Watan-In a notable development in the Palestinian crisis, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz revealed what it described as the “decisive role” that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could play in ending the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. The paper cited informed sources stating that U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shown increasing interest in ending the war, believes that Riyadh holds more influence over the matter than either Israel or Egypt.
The Haaretz report indicated that the Trump administration has given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an unofficial deadline to end the military operations—likely within two to three weeks—following their recent meeting at the White House. The paper suggested there is an implicit understanding of a target date for ending the war, even if it hasn’t been publicly declared.
Strikingly, the report also mentioned preparations for a potential visit by President Trump to Riyadh in May, which would be his first foreign visit since taking office—reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on regional issues, especially the Gaza war.
Saudi Mediation Linked to War’s End as Normalization Looms Amid Regional Shifts
International media reports have hinted at behind-the-scenes Saudi mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation, while U.S. pressure continues to mount on Netanyahu’s government to halt the fighting.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s public stance on the war remains ambiguous, with anticipation building over what the upcoming visit could yield—especially amid rapid regional shifts that may reshape alliances across the Middle East.
