Gulf states deny rejecting Egyptian defense force proposal at Doha Summit
By bellecarter // 2025-09-23
Copy
 
  • Gulf states have categorically denied rejecting an Egyptian plan to form a NATO-style Arab defense force, as reported by Middle East Eye, amid ongoing regional tensions and conflicts.
  • The rejection of the proposal is attributed to disagreements over leadership, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia vying for control, and U.S. influence, which reportedly sought to limit the Arab response to mere statements rather than concrete actions.
  • The Israeli missile attack on Doha, targeting a Hamas meeting, added complexity to regional dynamics, resulting in casualties and increasing tensions between Israel and Gulf states, particularly Qatar.
  • Qatar has demanded a public Israeli apology for the attack as a condition for its continued role in ceasefire mediation, highlighting the strained relations and Qatar's critical position in the conflict.
  • The denial of the defense force proposal and Qatar's demands underscore the contentious nature of regional security discussions, complicated by external influences and internal disagreements, with the potential for further escalation and humanitarian crises.
Gulf states have categorically denied an exclusive Middle East Eye report that claimed an Egyptian plan to form a NATO-style Arab defense force was rejected at the recent Doha summit. This denial comes amid ongoing regional tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the recent Israeli missile attack on Doha. The denial raises questions about the true intentions of the Gulf states and the influence of external powers, particularly the United States, in regional security discussions. The Egyptian proposal, as reported by a senior Egyptian diplomat, aimed to establish a defensive regional force that would "shield member states from external threats, particularly Israel." However, the Gulf official contacted MEE to deny this report, stating that "false claims" were being circulated to cast the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in a negative light and that they were "detrimental to ongoing regional security discussions."The official's comments came less than a day after the Egyptian diplomat's revelation, suggesting a swift and coordinated response from the Gulf states. (Related: Egypt warns Israel: Strikes on Hamas leaders on Egyptian soil will be seen as declaration of war.)

Disagreements and U.S. influence

The Egyptian diplomat attributed the rejection of the proposal to disagreements over who would lead the force, with Egypt advocating for its leadership and Saudi Arabia pushing for its own command. This internal disagreement highlights the complexities of regional alliances and the challenges of forming a unified front against external threats. Moreover, the diplomat blamed U.S. influence for the lackluster response from the GCC. According to the diplomat, Washington wanted to limit the Arab response to mere statements in support of Gaza and condemnation of Israel, rather than taking concrete steps. This suggests a strategic divide between the Arab states and the United States, with the latter prioritizing its own interests and those of its allies.

The Israeli attack and Qatar's demands

The Israeli missile attack on Doha on Sept. 9 added a new layer of complexity to the regional dynamics. The attack targeted a building where Hamas members were discussing the latest U.S. proposal for ending the conflict in Gaza. Despite the survival of senior Hamas leaders, six people were killed, including the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and a Qatari military personnel. In the aftermath of the attack, Qatar's prime minister appealed to the international community to bring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "justice." Qatar has since conditioned its continued role as a mediator in the ceasefire talks on a public Israeli apology for the strike. This demand underscores the growing tensions between Israel and the Gulf states, particularly Qatar, which has been a key mediator in the conflict, Brighteon.AI's Enoch points out. The denial by the Gulf states of the Egyptian defense force proposal and the subsequent demands by Qatar for an Israeli apology highlight the complex and often contentious nature of regional security discussions. The influence of external powers, particularly the United States, and the internal disagreements among the Gulf states and Egypt complicate the formation of a unified front against external threats. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the recent Israeli attack on Doha further exacerbate these tensions, raising the specter of further escalation and humanitarian crises. The international community must remain vigilant and engaged to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. Watch the video below that reports on Israel bombing Qatar. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel's strike on Qatar shatters illusion of U.S. security guarantees. Saudi Arabia bolsters maritime security with cutting-edge technology amid regional tensions. Israel's attack on Qatar: A wake-up call for the Middle East and a blow to peace negotiations.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net 1 MiddleEastEye.net 2 Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
Copy