The United Arab Emirates has discussed the possibility of participating in post-war efforts to rebuild Gaza, but its conditions for doing so have not yet been met, a UAE official said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has touted the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other countries as potential partners to help manage the territory after the war. But the UAE has previously said it would refuse to be involved in any plan aimed at providing cover for an Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip, reported by CNN.
“Although there have been many informal discussions, the parties involved have not agreed to the UAE’s prior conditions for their participation in any post-war efforts in Gaza,” a UAE official said. The official was responding to a Reuters report that backroom discussions between the UAE, Israel and the United States included the possibility of the UAE, the United States and other countries temporarily overseeing the administration, security and reconstruction of Gaza after the war.
Role of the Palestinian Authority
A UAE official said that the preconditions include a formal invitation from a new, credible, independent prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA), a serious reform process in the PA, clear Israeli commitment to the two-state solution and clear US leadership. The UAE has long advocated for reform in the PA, which is seen as plagued by corruption, and has called for a change in its leadership. Mohammed Mustafa was sworn in as PA prime minister in March, succeeding Mohammed Shtayyeh, who resigned in February.
Israeli officials have publicly rejected the possibility that the West Bank-based PA would play a role in a post-war Gaza. Reuters also reported, citing diplomats and Western officials, that UAE officials had suggested using private military contractors as part of a peacekeeping force in Gaza. A UAE official who spoke to CNN denied this.
UAE Foreign Minister
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said they intended to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations.
The two ministers discussed the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and regional and international efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire. The UAE normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 agreement known as the Abraham Accords, and maintained relations with it throughout the Gaza war.