US President Donald Trump alongside Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the multilateral meeting to discuss Gaza situation at the UN General Assembly in New York City, September 23, 2025. (Photo: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

In what President Donald Trump called his “most important meeting,” the US leader convened with heads of Arab and Muslim states on Tuesday to discuss ending the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The high-stakes diplomatic gathering took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

Key Participants and Objectives

Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the meeting included “all of the big players except for Israel, but that’s going to be next,” referring to his upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week.

International Response and Outcomes

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the meeting with Trump as “very fruitful” and indicated that a joint declaration would be published, though he did not elaborate on specific details. Turkey, a NATO member, has been highly critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has called for an immediate ceasefire.

According to the Emirati state news agency WAM, the meeting focused on achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and addressing the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave.

Trump’s Position on Israel

Earlier in the day, during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump reaffirmed his stance: “I’m on the side of Israel. I’ve been on the side of Israel, really, my whole life, and we’re going to get a solution, and it’s going to be a solution that’s good for everybody.”

When asked about France’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood, Trump expressed opposition, stating: “I think it honors Hamas and you can’t do that because of October 7. You just can’t do that.”

Post-War Gaza Plan

Both Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff were expected to present the US plan for post-war Gaza management, a comprehensive strategy that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been developing in recent months. However, no immediate details were released following the meeting.

When approached by reporters after the meeting, Trump offered no immediate comments on the outcomes, while Witkoff provided only a thumbs-up gesture when asked about how the discussions had progressed.