Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly denied agreeing to the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of negotiations aimed at normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Reports suggesting such concessions have been described as “completely false” by Netanyahu’s office, which emphasized that any move towards Palestinian statehood would jeopardize Israel’s security.
Saudi Arabia has also rejected these claims, reaffirming its unwavering stance on supporting an independent Palestinian state. A Saudi official labeled the reports as baseless and reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to advocating for the Palestinian people and also pursuing an end to the conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu, who views formal ties with Saudi Arabia as a strategic goal, dismissed the rumors and suggested alternative approaches for Gaza’s post-war administration. However, Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have consistently maintained that any reconstruction or governance efforts in Gaza must involve the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Amid ongoing international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the United States and Israeli security officials have warned against a lack of a viable governance plan. They caution that leaving Gaza without stable leadership could allow Hamas to regain control, undermining efforts to establish the lasting peace and stability in the region.
