After Saudi Arabia and Israel hinted at a new agreement two weeks ago, Hamas’ recent attack on Israel has unsettled the Middle East peace process. Now, that seems unlikely.
After the attacks, Saudi Arabia shifted its stance. It now strongly supports a two-state solution for the Palestinians.
This shift brings the Palestinian issue back into focus among Arab and Muslim countries. Moreover, resentment toward Israel has rekindled.
Some see this as a win for Hamas, a group backed by Iran and Qatar and labeled as terrorist by the U.S. and Germany.
Experts say this delays any quick peace deals between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Public opinion in Arab countries is also a factor.
Many are critical of Israel, especially if Palestinian casualties rise. This sentiment puts pressure on countries like the United Arab Emirates, which have peace deals with Israel.
Saudi Arabia’s decisions also involve the U.S. and Iran. Improved relations with Israel could help mend Saudi-U.S. ties, damaged since 2018.
It would also boost Saudi Arabia’s military alliance with the U.S.
Background
The Hamas attacks have disrupted the Middle East peace roadmap. They’ve made Saudi Arabia rethink its policies and refocused attention on the Palestinian issue.
The shift also complicates Saudi-U.S. relations, already fragile since 2018. It pressures other Arab countries, like the UAE, who had moved toward peace with Israel.
Iran’s role as a backer of Hamas adds another layer of complexity. Despite tensions, Saudi Arabia might return to talks with Israel for U.S. security guarantees.
This reveals how fluid and delicate peace efforts in the Middle East can be.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated AI newsroom. Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. The Rio Times also runs Ask Rio Times, which answers from 100,000+ of our own articles, the daily Latin America Power Map, and prediction-market odds on elections and markets.. How we use AI · Report an error
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