US plans have rendered diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia unlikely for the time being. Yet Riyadh and Washington have their own roadmaps. Meanwhile, Palestinians continue to bear the brunt.

Khalidi and Ahmed Mohamed HassanRIYADH/ABU DHABI/AMMAN/CAIRO (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia is spearheading urgent Arab efforts to develop a plan for Gaza's future as a counter to U.S. President Donald Trump's ambition for a Middle East Riviera cleared of its Palestinian inhabitants,

Saudi Arabia will host the leaders of four Arab countries at a summit on February 20 to discuss President Donald Trump’s proposal for a US takeover of Gaza, a source with knowledge of the preparations said on Friday.

After some uncertainty earlier this week, phase one of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire seems to be holding even as Donald Trump plans to press forward with his Gaza plan. On Thursday, Hamas promised to release three Israeli hostages,