Riyadh Rejects Weak Diplomacy, Calls for Stronger Action Against Hamas
Saudi Arabia has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the recent Cairo summit, which failed to address its key concerns regarding Hamas’ role in Gaza. Sources in Riyadh report that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) deliberately skipped the meeting, signaling his frustration with Egypt’s handling of the situation. While not a full-blown diplomatic crisis, tensions between Saudi Arabia and Egypt are rising, as Riyadh feels its position was overlooked.
For Saudi Arabia, the summit’s failure to demand Hamas’ disarmament was unacceptable. The Kingdom has long distanced itself from Hamas, viewing it as an Iranian-backed terrorist organization that fuels instability in the region. With Iran’s proxies escalating attacks across the Middle East—including Hezbollah’s aggression in Lebanon, the Houthis’ assaults on the Red Sea, and Iranian-backed militias threatening regional security—Saudi Arabia sees Hamas as another dangerous arm of Tehran’s influence.
No Funding for Gaza Without Hamas’ Removal
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have taken a firm stance: they will not fund the reconstruction of Gaza unless Hamas is fully disarmed and removed from power. The Gulf states refuse to pour billions into rebuilding only for Hamas to use those resources to rearm and prepare for another war. This marks a significant shift from past approaches, where Gulf nations provided financial aid with fewer conditions.
Saudi Arabia has made it clear that any future stability in Gaza must involve new leadership—one free from Hamas’ extremist ideology and ties to Iran. Riyadh’s position aligns with the growing consensus among Arab states that Hamas is a liability rather than an asset. The group’s reckless actions, culminating in the October 7 massacre in Israel, have only deepened regional instability and reinforced the perception that Hamas serves Iran’s interests rather than those of Gaza’s residents.
Saudi Arabia Backs U.S. Pressure on Hamas
In a surprising development, Saudi Arabia has welcomed U.S.-Hamas negotiations, believing that President Donald Trump has the leverage needed to push Hamas into surrendering its weapons. Saudi officials have privately expressed confidence that Trump’s hardline stance on Iran and its proxies will be crucial in eliminating Hamas as a military force in Gaza. Unlike previous administrations that sought to appease Hamas through diplomacy, Trump is expected to take a more aggressive approach, ensuring that any ceasefire or political solution is contingent on Hamas’ complete disarmament.
This pragmatic approach aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader regional strategy: countering Iranian influence and preventing terrorist organizations from gaining a foothold in the Arab world. With Hamas increasingly isolated and facing military defeat in Gaza, Saudi Arabia sees an opportunity to reshape the post-war landscape—one that excludes Hamas entirely.
A Stronger Arab-Israeli Alliance?
Saudi Arabia’s stance on Hamas is part of a broader realignment in the Middle East. Riyadh’s interests now align more closely with Israel than with Iran’s network of terrorist proxies. The normalization process between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which was disrupted by the October 7 attack, is likely to resume once the war concludes—especially if Hamas is eradicated from Gaza.
While Saudi Arabia has traditionally been cautious about overt relations with Israel, its strategic priorities are clear: countering Iran, promoting regional stability, and ensuring that groups like Hamas no longer destabilize the region. The Cairo summit’s failure to address these concerns has only reinforced Riyadh’s determination to see Hamas removed, once and for all.
