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During a confidential meeting in Abu Dhabi, senior officials from the UAE, the US, and Israel convened to deliberate on the potential deployment of international forces in Gaza. The meeting, which included UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, US National Security Council coordinator Brett McGurk, and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, focused on post-conflict reconstruction and governance in Gaza. This diplomatic effort follows the UAE's formal recognition of Israel through the Abraham Accords in 2020.
Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's assistant minister for political affairs, articulated the UAE's stance in a recent opinion piece. She emphasized that the proposed international mission would address humanitarian needs, establish law and order, and support the reintegration of Gaza with the West Bank under a single Palestinian Authority. Nusseibeh underscored the importance of US leadership and a reformed Palestinian Authority to ensure the success of this mission. She also called for Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza and halt settlement expansions in the West Bank to create conducive conditions for peace.
The initiative is seen as part of broader efforts to revive the two-state solution, a longstanding objective in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, significant challenges remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition government strongly oppose the creation of a Palestinian state, citing security concerns. The Israeli Knesset's recent vote against Palestinian statehood reflects these apprehensions.
Analysts remain skeptical about the feasibility of recruiting Gulf states for peacekeeping roles in Gaza, especially given the ongoing hostilities and stalled ceasefire talks. Despite this, there are indications of tentative progress in diplomatic circles, with discussions suggesting a possible US-backed mission based out of Cairo, Egypt.
The UAE's proposal represents a significant shift in its approach to the Gaza conflict, moving from a position of neutrality to actively advocating for international intervention. This development is indicative of the UAE's growing diplomatic influence in the region and its commitment to supporting a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful, anticipating further developments in these high-stakes negotiations. The proposed peacekeeping mission, if realized, could mark a pivotal step towards achieving long-term stability and peace in the region.