Trump: No peace in Gaza while they take pleasure in killing 

U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a rare and closely watched meeting Wednesday morning with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, followed immediately by talks with Gulf leaders who arrived in the Saudi capital for the occasion. In a sharp statement afterward, Trump turned his attention to Gaza, declaring, “My administration shares the hope of so many in the region for a future of security and respect for the Palestinian people: but this cannot happen as long as Gaza’s leaders enjoy torturing and murdering innocent people. We cannot allow this to continue.”

The special meeting included leaders and ministers: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani from Qatar, Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah from Kuwait, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa from Bahrain. The rulers of Oman and the United Arab Emirates sent members of the royal family to represent them.The Emirates are represented by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed - the son of the ruler of the Emirates.

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the removal of sanctions on Syria at the start of the meeting and stated that "the sanctions were indeed paralyzing." The president also confirmed reports that Turkish President participated in a Zoom meeting with al-Sharaa.

"I felt very strongly that this would give them an opportunity," Trump said, referring to his announcement about the move in a speech he delivered last night that "received the biggest cheers from the room," according to a quote from the Times.

The U.S. President added that he is working to normalize relations with Syria and hinted at the subject of normalization when he said that Gulf states are "at the forefront of efforts to create a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Middle East."

In his remarks, Trump also addressed the Iranian issue, saying: "I want to make a deal with Iran, but for that to happen, it must stop supporting terrorism and must not have nuclear weapons."

The White House confirmed this morning that Trump urged the Syrian President to join the Abraham Accords, a step that the Syrian president has not previously dismissed but set conditions.

According to the official announcement, President Trump also asked the Syrian president to expel Palestinian terrorists from the territory of the country.

The President of the United States said that "in Gaza, my administration shares the hope of so many in that region for a future of security and respect for the Palestinian people, but this cannot happen as long as the leaders of Gaza enjoy... torturing and murdering innocent people. We cannot allow this to happen."

He later thanked those present for their efforts to bring an end to the war: "I greatly appreciate the constructive role played by the leaders in this room in trying to bring about an end to the terrible conflict, including by helping to secure the release of the American hostage, Idan Alexander."

According to him, Alexander's release was a significant event: "Yesterday was a great day, a very important day. I was told just before I left that they were about to release Idan. Three weeks ago we thought Idan was dead. They said Idan was no longer alive. And that was very, very good news."

The president concluded by stating that the release of all hostages is key to advancing the peace process: "Ultimately, all hostages from all nations must be released as a step towards peace, and I believe this is going to happen. A lot of things are happening. A lot of very positive things are happening on all fronts."