Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and hold a much-anticipated multilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump, along with leaders from key Muslim-majority countries, today (Tuesday). This gathering comes as Trump aims to address the escalating situation in Gaza, which has been under significant attack from Israel, a key US ally..

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the multilateral meeting will include representatives from Saudia Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordon, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan with Gaza expected to be central topic.

According to Axios, Trump plans to present a proposal aimed at peace and post-war governance in Gaza. The discussions will focus on the release of hostages an end to the conflict and US strategies regarding an Israeli withdrawal, all while excluding Hamas from future governance.

Reports indicate that the US seeks support from Arab and Muslim nations to send military forces to Gaza to facilitate Israel’s withdrawal and secure funding for transition and rebuilding efforts.

On the same day, Trump will address the UN General Assembly, following a significant gathering of world leaders who endorsed the establishment of a Palestinian state, marking a notable shift in diplomatic efforts nearly two years into Gaza conflict. While many nations argue that a two-state solution is essential for peace, Israel contends that recognising a Palestinian state rewards extremism.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the internal displacement of the entire population, leading to a humanitarian crisis characterised by starvation. Rights experts and a UN inquiry have described the situation as genocidal.

Israel maintains that its operations are acts of self-defense in response to an October attack by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 people and involved hostage-taking. The conflict has also seen Israeli strikes on Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Qatar.

Trump promised a swift resolution to the Gaza conflict, faces challenges eight months into his term. His administration began with a two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which ended following Israeli strikes that killed 400 Palestinians in March.

Recently, harrowing images of starving Palestinians have sparked international condemnation of Israel’s actions.

In Februray, Trump proposed a controversial plan for a US takeover of Gaza and the permanent displacement of its Palestinian residents, which was criticised as “ethnic cleansing” by rights experts and the UN Forcible displacement us considered illegal under international law, but Trump framed the proposal as a redevelopment initiative.