Abraham Accords Breakthrough: Israel–Saudi Normalization Talks Point to a Historic Expansion of Middle East Peace

Washington, D.C.—Momentum is building for a new wave of normalization agreements between Israel and additional Arab and Muslim-majority nations, as U.S. officials and Israeli leaders signal that an expanded Abraham Accords package could emerge “within months.” Speaking at a policy forum this week, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff said that “countries not previously contemplated will soon sign on,” hinting at “some pretty big announcements” that could reshape the regional map. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that optimism, declaring that a weakened Iranian position after recent clashes has opened “a historic window for wider peace” and predicting fresh signatories once the Gaza war winds down. Multiple Israeli and Arab media outlets report that Syria, Saudi Arabia and at least two North African states are on the short list of prospective partners. The Jerusalem Post, citing senior U.S. officials, said Damascus is “likely” to join, marking what would be the first formal Israeli-Syrian diplomatic breakthrough in more than half a century. Driving the push is a joint initiative by former U.S. president Donald Trump—who brokered the original 2020 accords—and Netanyahu. According to Israel Hayom, the two leaders have agreed on a roadmap that pairs a Gaza cease-fire with accelerated normalization talks, including economic incentives and U.S. security guarantees. Regional analysts say the White House sees an enlarged Abraham Accords bloc as a strategic counterweight to Iran and a springboard for post-war reconstruction. Key elements under discussion include: • Opening direct flight corridors linking Tel Aviv to Riyadh and Damascus. • Establishing a multilateral investment fund to rebuild Gaza’s civilian infrastructure. • Expanding the Negev Forum to incorporate cybersecurity, water-tech and renewable-energy cooperation. Energy companies are already positioning for a potential windfall. A Saudi-Israeli consortium has drafted preliminary plans for a Red-Med hydrogen pipeline that would integrate future Syrian production hubs, according to industry sources familiar with the talks. Still, obstacles remain. Damascus is demanding a phased Israeli withdrawal from parts of the Golan Heights, while Riyadh wants “irreversible” progress toward a two-state framework for the Palestinians. Diplomatic sources say Washington is considering a trilateral security pact that would underwrite the agreement and provide advanced U.S. air-defense systems to participating states. Market watchers note that previous Abraham Accords signatories—UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan—saw bilateral trade with Israel grow from roughly $700 million in 2020 to over $3.4 billion in 2024, according to Israeli customs data. Economists project that adding Saudi Arabia alone could double that figure within three years, with tourism and fintech leading the surge. As speculation intensifies, foreign ministers from Jordan, Egypt and the UAE are scheduled to meet in Amman next week to coordinate positions ahead of what one diplomat called an “impending diplomatic earthquake.” Observers expect announcements to coincide with the July summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where U.S. officials will present an updated regional security doctrine tied to normalization. With high-level negotiations accelerating and geopolitical incentives aligning, the Abraham Accords appear poised for their most significant expansion yet—potentially redrawing alliances from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and redefining the Middle East’s economic landscape for the next decade.