UAE, Israel, US talk Gaza post-war administration

UAE, Israel, and US Explore Post-Conflict Governance for Gaza

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel and the United States are engaged in secret talks about establishing a temporary governing framework following the end of the conflict in Gaza, informed sources said.

These discussions, as revealed by Reuters, focus on governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza after the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The proposed structure would serve as a stopgap until a new Palestinian Authority (PA) is established. The ideas are still in their early stages and have not been formally approved by either side, according to diplomats and officials familiar with the talks.

The United Arab Emirates is central to the discussions because of its close security alliance with the United States and diplomatic ties with Israel. Abu Dhabi has pushed for a reformed Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem as part of an independent Palestinian state. However, Israel rejects both this idea and the idea of Gaza being governed by the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking at the ongoing negotiations, a UAE official underlined the necessity of greater governance, a clear route to a Palestinian state, and significant reforms in the Palestinian Authority. These elements are critical to any post-conflict strategy’s success, the official emphasized.

The PA, which maintains limited control over parts of Gaza and the West Bank, was established by the Oslo Accords of 1993–1995. It lost control of Gaza after Hamas seized it in 2007. In contemporary discussions, a restructured PA is proposed as the foundation for Gaza’s future rule. However, the international community has been unable to develop a workable plan for Gaza due to Israel’s unwillingness to present a clear vision for the region.

One contentious idea is the use of private military contractors as part of a peacekeeping force in Gaza.

According to reports, Emirati authorities have proposed this alternative, which has alarmed Western countries because of the dubious record of these contractors in earlier wars. Critics point to claims of disproportionate force and violations of human rights in Iraq and Afghanistan as serious dangers.

Reconstruction of Gaza is projected to cost billions of dollars and require years of international cooperation. While Israel has expressed interest in involving the UAE, given its wealth and regional influence, it continues to oppose Hamas and other Islamist groups. Saudi Arabia agrees, viewing Hamas as an influence that destabilizes the Middle East.

Citing problems with corruption and ineptitude, the UAE has also suggested replacing the PA’s prime minister in private talks. The former prime minister of PA, Salam Fayyad, has been proposed as a contender because of his background and standing as a reformer leader.

At the same time, the United States, in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, is promoting a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But there are still delays, and both sides accuse each other of blocking progress. The optimal course of action for the administration and reconstruction of Gaza is still being discussed with several partners, a US State Department spokesman said.

Diplomats warn that the international community must confront the enormous obstacles to rebuilding Gaza and establishing a long-term political structure to prevent further instability in the region.