Baghdad is hosting the 34th Arab League Summit on Saturday, as “Israeli” airstrikes continue to pound Gaza, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian Strip.

 

The summit comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s Gulf tour, during which he reaffirmed his controversial desire for the United States to “own” Gaza.

 

Flags of the 22 Arab League member states have been draped across the streets of the Iraqi capital, which—like much of the country—is experiencing relative stability after decades of war and unrest.

 

The summit unfolds against a backdrop of sweeping regional shifts. Syria's transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, is seeking to reset ties with Arab states and the West.

 

Meanwhile, the war in Gaza has weakened Iran and its allies, even as Tehran continues nuclear talks with Washington.

 

In addition to Arab leaders, the summit will be attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez—whose country recognized the State of Palestine last year and who remains one of Europe’s most vocal critics of “Israel”.

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was among the first leaders to arrive in Baghdad on Friday afternoon. A diplomatic source told AFP that most Gulf countries will be represented at the ministerial level.