Today, Wednesday, a tripartite summit will be held in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, bringing together Jordanian King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. It is the first for the three leaders since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for 96 days.
The tripartite summit coincides with an intensive round of talks by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Israel, as part of a broader tour that included several Arab capitals in the region in addition to Ankara. Observers believe that it seeks to prevent the expansion of the conflict and discuss the post-war phase, amid Israeli officials’ confirmation of Tel Aviv’s determination. Continuing the war until reaching the leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and returning the Israeli hostages to the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
In light of the American administration’s continued support for Israel militarily and politically in its war on the Gaza Strip, despite the fall of thousands of martyrs and tens of thousands of wounded, and despite the Arab movements seeking a ceasefire, and the erosion of Western support for the war, many questions arise about the goals of the tripartite summit being held in Aqaba today, and what may result. Its outcomes and decisions.
Post-war period
Writer and political analyst Majed Abu Diak – in an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune Net – draws attention to the fact that the summit comes during Blinken’s visit, which aims mainly to give new cover to Israel in order to continue its war.
He believes that the summit comes within the framework of an attempt to arrange for the next stage, as the American side talks about limiting the targeting of civilians in Gaza, with a focus on targeting the resistance, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still reluctant to comply with this American demand.
In the same vein, Jordanian politician Marwan Al-Faouri believes that Blinken’s tour comes within the framework of outlining the features of the American trade-off, which is based on “the exit of the Palestinian resistance from the equation for the future of Gaza, in exchange for changing the American tone only, and not stopping the war, which began through a leak and not a statement.” This indicates “The administration of President Joe Biden can touch upon a possible ceasefire project.”
A statement issued by the Jordanian Royal Court regarding the summit explained that the leaders “will discuss the dangerous developments in the Gaza Strip and developments in the West Bank” and stressed that it comes within “Jordan’s continuing efforts to coordinate Arab positions, to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and to deliver humanitarian aid without interruption.” “
In this context, political analyst Abu Diak says, “Egypt and Jordan previously announced their rejection of the displacement of Palestinians, and they expressed that clearly. This is an important position, but they may now want to coordinate positions after the war.”
He added, “It is interesting to note what was mentioned in a previous speech by US President Joe Biden, in which he said that countries – including Jordan, Egypt and Turkey – showed a willingness to deal with the post-war phase, but he did not clarify the nature of this role that these Arab countries and Turkey could play.”
Expectations
Observers believe that the leaders who will meet in Aqaba today do not have significant political cards to pressure Israel to stop its crimes in Gaza, nor to force the United States to respond to their demands to stop the aggression. Therefore, analysts, including Majed Abu Diak, expect that the outcomes of the summit will include confirmation by Egypt and Jordan. For their position rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from their land, and demanding an end to the war.
Abu Diak says, “Unfortunately, until now, we see that there is a negative Egyptian position at the Rafah crossing, a position that adheres to what the Israelis are asking for, and what is required – as long as these countries are together at a summit – is for there to be another position towards bringing aid into the Gaza Strip, lifting the siege, and of course stopping… the war.”
Abu Diak also criticizes the weak Arab positions, which were unable to reach what other non-Arab countries have reached in supporting Gaza and standing up to the Israeli aggression, and he regrets that “the Arab countries did not support South Africa in filing a complaint against Israel in the International Criminal Court for what it is committing.” Of war crimes and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.”
Unfortunately, the Arab position in general is still below the required level in supporting their brothers in the Gaza Strip, whether in terms of stopping the war or pushing towards opening the borders and bringing aid into the Gaza Strip.”
According to news reports, at the conclusion of their summit, the three leaders are expected to call for an immediate ceasefire, and stress the necessity of returning to the political track to find a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with United Nations resolutions. It is also expected that the final statement of the summit will include an affirmation of the rejection of efforts aimed at liquidating… The Palestinian cause.