U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced that multiple nations have expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords, signaling a potential resurgence of Middle East diplomacy following what some are calling the region’s most dangerous standoff in years  the so-called “12-Day War” involving Israel, the U.S., and Iran.

Speaking at a press briefing in Palm Beach on Friday, Trump described the current diplomatic momentum as a “historic opportunity” to extend the landmark normalization agreement signed during his first term.

“Several countries have told us they want in,” said Trump. “They see the strength of the alliance, the peace it brought, and they want to be part of that success.”

The Abraham Accords: A Quick Recap

Initially signed in September 2020 during Trump’s first term, the Abraham Accords normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and a group of Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

The agreement was widely seen as a diplomatic breakthrough in a region long marked by hostility toward Israel. However, talks with other potential signatories, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman, stalled after the change of administration in 2021, and tensions in the region have since escalated.

A Tense Flashpoint: The 12-Day War

Interest in reviving the Accords has surged following this month’s brief but intense military conflict the “12-Day War” in which Israel, reportedly with logistical and cyber support from the U.S., launched targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran retaliated with ballistic missile launches and cyberattacks, but ultimately pulled back under pressure from diplomatic and military coalitions in the region. Analysts say this new geopolitical reality has reshaped strategic calculations among Arab nations that previously hesitated to engage openly with Israel.

 Who Might Be Next?

While President Trump did not specify which countries are seeking to join, sources close to the administration pointed to Oman, Mauritania, and Indonesia as potential candidates, along with quiet overtures from Libya’s transitional government.

“The reality is, the Abraham Accords work,” said Trump. “They bring trade, security, and peace. And now more nations want that.”

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has also hinted at a future agreement, though officials say any move would require concessions on the Palestinian issue, which remains a sticking point.

Regional Shifts and Strategic Implications

The renewed interest in the Accords could redefine security alliances in the Middle East, particularly amid growing cooperation between Israel and Sunni-majority states against Shia Iran.

Experts warn, however, that any expansion must be carefully managed to avoid further alienating Iran, which has already threatened to withdraw from remaining nuclear monitoring agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued a strong rebuke of the Israeli judicial system, lashing out at prosecutors involved in the long-running corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and stating the United States is “not going to stand” for what he described as political sabotage during a time of national crisis.

“This trial is insanity,”  “The U.S. has given Israel billions in support, and now they want to prosecute the man who’s kept them safe? We’re not going to stand for it.”

The comments come just one day after the Jerusalem District Court granted a two-week delay in Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony, citing national security concerns in the aftermath of Israel’s recent 12-day conflict with Iran.

Netanyahu’s Corruption Trial Resurfaces Amid Crisis

The Israeli Prime Minister has been on trial since 2020, facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases involving alleged quid-pro-quo arrangements with media moguls and wealthy businessmen.

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling the trial a “witch hunt” orchestrated by political enemies and supported by unelected elements of the judiciary.

His legal team successfully petitioned for a delay in Monday’s scheduled cross-examination, citing ongoing national security responsibilities linked to the recent “12-Day War” with Iran and Hamas.

Trump: Trial Weakens Netanyahu in Face of Hamas, Iran

President Trump’s latest remarks tie the legal proceedings to broader geopolitical concerns, warning that the trial undermines Netanyahu’s ability to lead Israel during a time of military and diplomatic pressure.

“You don’t put your top general on trial during a war. That’s what they’re doing to Bibi,” Trump added, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. “He needs to be leading talks with Hamas, defending Israel against Iran not sitting in a courtroom.”

The comments are the strongest yet from a sitting U.S. president about an ongoing judicial process in a close ally’s domestic affairs, and could spark diplomatic tension over perceived interference in Israeli rule of law.

U.S.-Israel Alliance Meets Political Strains

The United States and Israel have long maintained a deep strategic alliance, bolstered under both Trump presidencies by defense coordination, diplomatic alignment on Iran, and Trump’s historic brokering of the Abraham Accords.

But Trump’s open criticism of Israel’s legal institutions may complicate relations at a moment when Israel faces internal political divisions, external military threats, and mounting international scrutiny.

“These are incredibly sensitive comments,” said Yael Harari, a legal analyst at Tel Aviv University. “It may boost Netanyahu politically, but it puts the Israeli judiciary in the crosshairs of global attention.”

Reactions in Israel

Pro-Netanyahu lawmakers in the Knesset welcomed Trump’s remarks, with Likud Party officials calling them “a reminder of who our real allies are.” Meanwhile, opposition parties slammed the comments as foreign interference in Israel’s internal legal process.

“Israel is a democracy with independent courts. We don’t take orders not even from Washington,” said Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party.

The Israeli judiciary has made no official comment on Trump’s statements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have reportedly reached an understanding to end the ongoing conflict with Gaza within two weeks, following the U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this month. The deal is said to be part of a broader diplomatic realignment in the Middle East that includes an expansion of the Abraham Accords and the removal of Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli media outlet HaYom News, sources close to the Israeli security cabinet revealed that the U.S. and Israel are in advanced coordination on a ceasefire framework that would see four Arab states reportedly including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco  jointly govern Gaza under an interim authority.

“The military goal has been achieved. Now we move to political normalization and strategic stability,” a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying.

Plan Includes Hostage Release and Hamas Exile

The reported agreement includes several high-stakes components:

• Complete release of Israeli and foreign hostages currently held by Hamas and other Gaza-based factions.

• Exile of Hamas leadership to a third-party country, reportedly Qatar or Turkey, pending negotiations.

• Deployment of a joint Arab stabilization force, backed by the U.S., to administer humanitarian aid and maintain security during the transition.

• Formal normalization steps from two additional Arab states, as part of the Abraham Accords initiative.

Strategic Timing After Iran Strike

The reported breakthrough follows the U.S. airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites earlier this month a move widely seen as signaling Washington’s willingness to reassert dominance in the region and isolate Tehran’s influence.

Sources suggest that the strike on Iran acted as a tipping point, compelling Arab states to back a new political framework for Gaza in exchange for security guarantees and regional investment packages.

“The message was clear: this is the moment to reset the region,” said an unnamed U.S. diplomat cited in the report.

Hamas Denounces Reports as ‘Colonial Fantasy’

In a statement on Friday, a Hamas spokesperson dismissed the alleged deal as a “colonial fantasy orchestrated by foreign occupiers,” and vowed continued resistance.

“Gaza will never be ruled by American proxies or Arab dictatorships,” the statement read.

However, analysts suggest Hamas may be facing unprecedented pressure, both militarily and diplomatically, and could be forced into exile if regional consensus solidifies.

What Comes Next?

A formal announcement could be made as early as next week, according to Israeli media, if Arab capitals align behind the terms. Trump, who is campaigning for re-election, may position the deal as a historic foreign policy achievement — reviving his role as a peacemaker and Abraham Accords architect.

Meanwhile, Israel’s political opposition has demanded parliamentary oversight of the agreement, citing the risks of a rushed handover and the long-term implications of Arab-led governance in Gaza.

“This must go through the Knesset. We will not accept backroom deals with authoritarian regimes,” said MK Yair Lapid in a press briefing.