UAE Discusses Plan with “Israel” to Manage Gaza After the War

Sources informed Reuters that the UAE is engaging in discussions with the Israeli occupation state and the United States regarding a temporary administration for Gaza post-war, until a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) can assume responsibility.

Approximately 12 foreign diplomats and Western officials told Reuters that closed-door discussions—first reported by Reuters—explore the possibility of the UAE, the U.S., and other nations temporarily overseeing governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, until a Palestinian administration is ready to take charge.

The UAE, a close security partner of the U.S. with diplomatic ties to Israel unlike most Arab governments, reportedly has leverage over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, according to diplomats and officials.

However, sources—speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks—revealed that over a year since the war began, Israel remains reluctant to articulate its vision for Gaza, leaving the international community struggling to devise a viable plan.

Diplomats and officials noted that ideas from the UAE-led discussions lack details and have not yet materialized into formalized plans endorsed by any government.

Call for Palestinian Authority Reform

The UAE insists on Palestinian Authority reforms as a prerequisite for governing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under an independent Palestinian state—a prospect Israel publicly opposes.

The Palestinian Authority, established three decades ago under the 1993–1995 Oslo Accords, signed by Israel and the Palestinians, was granted limited authority over the West Bank and Gaza. While it retains partial control over the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Hamas expelled the PA from Gaza in 2007 after brief internal conflict.

Post-War Reconstruction Challenges

Reconstructing Gaza, including rebuilding its political institutions, is expected to take years and cost tens of billions of dollars, requiring substantial international support after 15 months of devastating Israeli military campaigns.

Two former Israeli officials revealed that despite UAE criticism of the Israeli military and Netanyahu, Israel still desires the UAE’s involvement in post-war Gaza reconstruction.

The UAE opposes Hamas, which the U.S. classifies as a terrorist organization. The movement led the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the war. Abu Dhabi considers Hamas and other Islamist groups destabilizing forces and has expressed concerns over the war’s impact on Middle Eastern stability, regional integration efforts, and economic development.

The U.S., alongside Egypt and Qatar, continues to seek a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Talks of a truce fell apart in late December, with both sides blaming each other.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hopes for a ceasefire agreement within two weeks.

Calls for Leadership Changes in the PA

The UAE reportedly opposes deploying troops for a multinational post-war mission unless invited by the Palestinian Authority and supported by the U.S. However, Netanyahu opposes the PA governing Gaza in its current form, citing longstanding grievances over its educational curriculum, which he claims incites hatred against Israel, and its policy of paying salaries to families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

The UAE has advocated for appointing a new prime minister to lead the PA, criticizing it as corrupt and inefficient in private discussions.

Diplomats indicated that the UAE suggested Salam Fayyad, a former World Bank official educated in the U.S., as a trustworthy candidate to lead a reformed Palestinian Authority. Fayyad served as prime minister from 2007 to 2013 before resigning after disputes with President Mahmoud Abbas, who remains in office.