Hebrew Media: Israel Seeks Partnership with UAE in Gaza Post-War

Hebrew media sources confirm that Israel is seeking an exclusive partnership with its ally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Gaza following the genocidal war it has been waging on the strip since October 7th.

The Hebrew newspaper “Israel Hayom” revealed that Israel has reached out to the UAE to play a “crucial role” in the reconstruction of Gaza after the war.

The newspaper highlighted a recent secret visit to Abu Dhabi by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, widely regarded as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest advisor.

The visit aimed to secure the UAE’s support for Israel’s “post-war” strategy in Gaza, potentially marking a significant shift in regional dynamics.

Reportedly, Dermer conveyed a crucial message to Emirati officials: the necessity of an actual Emirati presence in Gaza as an integral part of the post-war solution.

Building on this diplomatic foundation, two senior Israeli military officials are scheduled to visit the UAE on Wednesday. Their goal is to continue discussions on the post-war strategy with their Emirati counterparts.

Israeli security sources reveal that these efforts focus on promoting the previously disclosed concept of “humanitarian bubbles” for Gaza’s future.

The newspaper stated that this innovative approach envisions creating humanitarian zones within Gaza, managed by local entities. The UAE’s plan calls for it to play a pivotal role as a key financial supporter in establishing these zones.

In addition to funding, the strategy includes rehabilitating the civilian infrastructure in Gaza and providing a security framework for these “humanitarian bubbles.” This security aspect is critical, as the main challenge lies in transferring control to local entities in Gaza amid potential violent opposition from Palestinian factions.

Yesterday, the American website Axios disclosed that the United States, Israel, and the UAE held a secret meeting in Abu Dhabi regarding the “day after” plan for Gaza and ways to support the Israeli army in eliminating Palestinian resistance.

Two Israeli officials told the website that Washington, Israel, and the UAE held a meeting in Abu Dhabi last Thursday to discuss post-war plans for Gaza.

According to the website, “The meeting indicates that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has begun to realize the need for a realistic plan on how to govern Gaza after the war.”

Israeli officials said that Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed hosted the meeting.

From the American side, President Biden’s Middle East advisor Brett McGurk attended, and from the Israeli side, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who is close to Netanyahu.

The officials said that two senior Israeli defense officials working on Israel’s proposals for the post-war plans for Gaza traveled with Dermer to Abu Dhabi.

A few days ago, the UAE publicly announced its involvement in Israel’s plans to entrench the occupation of Gaza by expressing readiness to participate in multinational forces after the ongoing Israeli war, which has been going on for ten months.

One day before the Israelis arrived in Abu Dhabi, the Emiratis presented their proposals for the day after the war in an opinion piece written by Lana Nusseibeh, the special envoy for “Abu Dhabi Today.”

Nusseibeh called for the deployment of a temporary international mission in Gaza, which Palestinian factions rejected, asserting they would treat any Arab or international force as an occupying power.

An Emirati official separately told the “Financial Times” on the day of the tripartite meeting in Abu Dhabi that the UAE would be ready to be part of this international force and send its troops to the field.

However, Abu Dhabi wants the international force to enter Gaza at the official invitation of the Palestinian Authority, which should undertake meaningful reforms and be led by a new prime minister with authority and independence.

The United States is expected to take a leading role in any “day after” initiative.

The Axios website highlighted that the Emiratis want to be part of the solution in Gaza, which would exclude Hamas, but they also have strong reservations about the current Palestinian Authority leadership.

During a meeting held last June between several Arab ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Abu Zaid described the Palestinian leadership as “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”

The Emiratis told the Biden administration that the new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa is a close associate of Abbas, hence would not be independent and would not carry out necessary reforms.

The Emiratis pushed for the appointment of other candidates, including former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad—a critic of Abbas—instead of Abbas.

In recognition of the strong bilateral alliance, Netanyahu stated that he wants the Emiratis to be part of the day-after plan for Gaza.

The Israeli Prime Minister wants the UAE to send troops, fund reconstruction, and reform the education system in Gaza to “deradicalize” the population.

However, Netanyahu is not yet prepared to end the war. He also rejects any formal role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and is not interested in resuming the peace process based on a two-state solution.

Netanyahu’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented a post-war plan for Gaza months ago that was very similar to the Emirati proposal, but Netanyahu immediately rejected it.

Israeli officials said that Netanyahu now shows greater willingness, at least secretly, to support Gallant’s plan and discuss it with the United States and the UAE.

An Israeli official stated, “Netanyahu attacked Gallant’s plan and blocked it for months, but he has now taken it, translated it into English, and handed it to Dermer to present to the Emiratis and Americans as if it were his own invention.”

The Biden administration has been pressing Netanyahu for months to discuss the post-war plan seriously, especially as efforts continue to reach an agreement on prisoners and a ceasefire.

The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has maintained its contacts with the Jewish state despite the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Many Arab officials have expressed concerns about being seen as entering Gaza on the back of Israeli tanks and the risks of being dragged into guerrilla warfare there.