A Shifting Moment at the United Nations; Trump’s Plan, Muslim Leaders, and the Future of Palestine.

A Shifting Moment at the United Nations; Trump’s Plan, Muslim Leaders, and the Future of Palestine.

At the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Palestine question once again dominated global headlines. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a surprising yet calculated move, held a series of back-to-back meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders, including Turkey’s President Erdoğan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and envoys from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. These conversations revolved around one subject: how to end the Gaza war and whether a renewed push for a two-state solution is still possible.

Trump’s “Comprehensive” Gaza Plan

According to several diplomats present in the room, President Trump presented what his team called a “comprehensive plan” to end the conflict in Gaza. The plan reportedly contains three main pillars:

1. An immediate, time-bound ceasefire tied to the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.

2. A post-war administrative arrangement in Gaza under an Arab-led or international authority — but explicitly excluding Hamas from governance.

3. A moratorium on West Bank annexation to keep alive the possibility of a future Palestinian state.

For a former U.S. president whose earlier “deal of the century” was widely criticized as being pro-Israel, this is a notable recalibration. Trump now appears to be betting on Arab buy-in as the only viable path to stabilizing the region and, ultimately, to his legacy.

Muslim Leaders’ Reactions

Initial responses from Muslim leaders have been cautious but not dismissive. President Erdoğan described the discussions as “fruitful,” while Pakistan’s delegation emphasized that any plan must respect the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Saudi and Egyptian envoys, according to leaks, were intrigued by the idea of an Arab-led interim administration in Gaza but remained sceptical about Washington’s long-term commitment.

The UN Stage and Global Pressure

Inside the UN Security Council, a draft resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza drew broad support, though the U.S. once again signalled its readiness to veto texts it sees as “imbalanced.” At the same time, the UN’s Commission of Inquiry released a stark report accusing Israel of seeking “permanent control” over Gaza and the West Bank, framing it as an existential threat to the two-state paradigm.

These developments underscore a shifting mood at Turtle Bay. The U.S. finds itself increasingly isolated diplomatically, yet the door for a grand bargain is still ajar — precisely because regional actors are desperate to end the bloodshed and avert further destabilization.

The Two-State Solution: A Fading Yet Resilient Vision

Does today’s flurry of diplomacy mean the two-state solution is back? Realistically, the map on the ground — expanding settlements, fragmented Palestinian politics, and eroding trust — makes a sovereign, contiguous Palestinian state harder than ever. Yet Trump’s decision to publicly oppose West Bank annexation, combined with Europe’s recent wave of recognitions of Palestine, shows that the idea retains powerful symbolic and legal weight.

In other words, the two-state solution may no longer be a roadmap with clear milestones, but it remains the default vocabulary of international legitimacy. Any leader seeking a lasting peace — whether in Washington, Ankara, Riyadh, or Ramallah — cannot easily discard it.

Conclusion

Today’s UN meetings reflected both despair and possibility. Trump’s new plan is not a magic wand; it is, at best, a framework that could halt the war and buy time. Whether it becomes a genuine step towards Palestinian statehood depends on sustained international pressure, credible Arab participation, and, crucially, Israeli restraint on the West Bank.

The coming months will reveal whether this moment was another diplomatic photo-op or the start of a serious reset. For now, the two-state solution remains on life support — but not yet buried.

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi Bukhari

Unity of Peace, Economic Reform, and Global Unity

Founder & Chairman of Tehreek Istehkam Pakistan, and the author of “Law of God” and “Social Democratic System.” Advocates for truth, social justice, and reform in all sectors of society.