Speculation is mounting ahead of a Gulf-US summit scheduled for mid-May in Riyadh, with a senior Gulf diplomatic source claiming that US President Donald Trump is expected to announce formal American recognition of a Palestinian state — excluding Hamas from any governance role.
The claim, made to The Media Line by a Gulf official who spoke on condition of anonymity, comes as anticipation builds over what Trump has described as a “very important announcement,” expected during his second official visit to Saudi Arabia in his second term.
Trump, who previously attended a similar summit in Riyadh on May 21, 2017, is set to return to the Kingdom for talks with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. The summit is being widely viewed as a platform for unveiling a new phase in regional diplomacy, with analysts pointing to a potential reshaping of US policy in the Middle East.
The Gulf diplomatic source suggested that Washington’s recognition of a Palestinian state — contingent on the exclusion of Hamas — would mark a dramatic shift in US policy and could pave the way for further normalisation agreements between Arab states and Israel.
“If an announcement of American recognition of the State of Palestine is made, it will be the most important declaration that will change the balance of power in the Middle East,” the source was quoted as saying. “More countries will join the Abraham Accords,” he added.
While there has been no official confirmation from the White House, Trump hinted at a significant development during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House on Tuesday, May 6, saying: “We have something very important to announce soon. It will be historic.”
Saudi Arabia is hosting the summit in Riyadh, but King Salman bin Abdulaziz will not be attending due to ongoing health issues. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to lead the Saudi delegation.
Beyond potential announcements on Palestine, the summit’s agenda is expected to cover a broad spectrum of issues including security cooperation, military deals, and technological partnerships — particularly in artificial intelligence and nuclear energy.
Observers also point to the possibility of new economic agreements, including discussions around tariff exemptions for Gulf countries. However, the source noted that “many of these deals have already been announced in recent months.”
If Trump moves forward with recognising a Palestinian state, it could be viewed as a strategic manoeuvre to gain broader Arab support while attempting to marginalise Hamas — the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip and is designated a terrorist organisation by both the US and EU.
The development would also come amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, as Gulf countries deepen ties with both Israel and Washington through the Abraham Accords framework, initially brokered in 2020 during Trump’s first term.
Whether the recognition of a Palestinian state — without Hamas — would be accepted by the broader Palestinian leadership remains uncertain. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, has not issued any formal comment on the speculation.
