By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Saudi Arabia is reportedly making the complete removal of Hamas from Gaza a prerequisite for normalizing relations with Israel, according to a source close to the royal court. This stance indicates that ending the current war before Hamas is fully defeated could hinder normalization efforts and potentially impact the expansion of the Abraham Accords. The Saudi government reportedly envisions the Palestinian Authority resuming control of Gaza after Hamas’s removal. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, has expressed a desire for a ceasefire and the return of hostages, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
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Report: Removing Hamas from power a condition for Saudi normalization is a significant development, and it highlights a shift in the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader regional politics. The Saudis have never recognized Hamas, considering it an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they view as a terrorist organization. They’ve historically taken steps to curb Hamas’ influence, including arresting Hamas-affiliated Palestinians within their borders. Their stance has always been that Hamas is detrimental to the Palestinian cause, and this perspective now appears to be a major factor shaping their approach to normalization with Israel.
This shared viewpoint on Hamas between Saudi Arabia and Israel sets the stage for potential cooperation. While the Saudis recognize the PLO and advocate for a Palestinian state led by them, the current Israeli government presents a significant obstacle, as it seems unlikely to concede to a Palestinian state in the near future. The timing of the October 7th events, in a way, seems to have been orchestrated to derail the momentum building towards Israeli-Saudi normalization.
The failure of Hamas is seen as a positive development by Saudi Arabia, which views Hamas as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group they have a history of opposing. Riyadh’s concerns stem from their experience with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt post-Arab Spring. The Saudis’ stance suggests a move toward modern, global influences and a shrinking of the influence of groups like the IRGC. The Saudis are pursuing what they see as practical measures to ensure the stability of a potential peace agreement, acknowledging that Hamas’ continued presence in power would likely lead to recurring conflicts, which could strain the agreement.
It seems like some pressure is being exerted on Hamas, with the Saudis recognizing that maintaining Hamas in power will mean repeated wars that would undermine any potential agreement. The Saudis’ are asking for practical things to keep the peace agreement stable, a smart move in the long run. Meanwhile, questions arise about how to go about removing Hamas from power, given its entrenchment in Gaza. The situation is complex, and it is not clear how this can be achieved.
Looking at the potential solutions, the idea of giving Gaza to the “real” Palestinians and Israel withdrawing to pre-agreed borders is being discussed, along with the removal of extremist Israeli settlers from Gaza. This approach aims to let people live in peace and build their communities. The Saudis, in turn, are still insisting on the development of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for any normalization talks. It is a complex situation, and it’s still too early to consider it a victory.
Egypt is also playing a role, but its commitment to Hamas is questionable, given its own internal issues. They are not expected to take any risks on Hamas’ behalf, and instead, it seems they prefer to be more insulated and out of trouble. It’s important to note that discussions include Israel potentially agreeing in principle to a Palestinian state in the future, pending certain reforms.
It appears that Saudi Arabia is pushing for a more secular approach, a move that could be a crucial factor in the region’s trajectory. However, the Saudis are being criticized for this stance because they let settlers run rampant in the West Bank, which, as a result, destroys any hope of a peaceful Palestinian state. It would be a difficult concession to obtain from the current Israeli government. The fact is that any real path to peace depends on finding a way to weaken the influence of Hamas and address the concerns of the Palestinians.
Regarding financial support, there are reports indicating that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have conditioned any assistance to Gaza on the removal of Hamas from power. It is clear that Hamas has enjoyed Saudi financial support in the past. The idea of peace has been derailed for a long time by the mutual dependence on conflict by both Hamas and hardliners in Israel. They both rely on conflict to maintain influence, something that Trump and Kushner’s strategies helped perpetuate.