Abu Dhabi’s Influence in Northern Sinai: UAE’s Humanitarian Role Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

El-Arish, a small city in Northern Sinai about 50 kilometers from Gaza, has recently become a hub of humanitarian activity. This coastal town, once seldom visited by outsiders, is now bustling with Emirati volunteers who are part of a significant effort to assist those affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Wearing cargo pants and beige vests adorned with the flag of the United Arab Emirates, these volunteers are working alongside UAE government officials, Red Crescent workers, and hospital staff to provide much-needed aid.

The UAE’s involvement in El-Arish is part of a broader initiative to support more than two million people whose lives have been disrupted by the conflict. This humanitarian effort has cost the UAE approximately $700 million since the conflict began nearly ten months ago, according to Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, an Emirati official overseeing the operations.

Extensive Humanitarian Efforts

The UAE’s commitment to the region is evident in its establishment of a field hospital in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which has treated nearly 50,000 people. Additionally, a second makeshift medical facility has been set up on a ship anchored in the Mediterranean Sea. These initiatives underscore the UAE’s dedication to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This effort is a testament to the UAE’s growing regional influence, which has been bolstered by strengthened ties with both Israel and Egypt. The Gulf nation’s recent $35 billion investment to support an International Monetary Fund rescue package for Egypt highlights its strategic alliances.

Diplomatic and Aid Initiatives

The UAE is leveraging its diplomatic relationships and financial resources to play a leading role in the region’s diplomatic and aid efforts. The country has also expressed a willingness to assist in postwar preparations, including the potential deployment of security forces into Gaza. However, its influence is limited, as the conflict continues unabated, and Israeli leadership has largely ignored international calls for a cease-fire.

Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE’s minister of state for international cooperation, suggested that the UAE could “consider taking part in a temporary stabilisation mission following a formal invitation from a reformed Palestinian Authority,” referring to the administration that controlled parts of the West Bank and Gaza before Hamas took over in 2007.

Diplomatic Strategy

The UAE’s involvement in the region is motivated by a desire to establish itself as an important diplomatic intermediary capable of engaging with both Israel and Egypt. Steffen Hertog, an associate professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, noted that the UAE is under pressure to positively impact Palestine due to criticism it faces for normalizing relations with Israel.

The UAE’s initiative in Gaza follows other international interventions, such as brokering a Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap deal in June, showcasing its growing role on the global stage.

Water Desalination and Logistics

In El-Arish, the UAE operates several water desalination plants, producing over a million gallons of water daily for the people of Gaza. Additionally, multiple warehouses for storing food, medicine, and clothing have been established on the Egyptian side of the border. Funding has been allocated for air drops, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per tonne, according to Al Shamsi, who serves as the assistant minister of foreign affairs for development affairs and international organizations.

Despite these efforts, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. With land routes such as the Rafah Border Crossing into Sinai closed since Israel took control in May, aid groups have relied heavily on air drops, which require the Israeli government’s approval.

Al Hashimy reported to Bloomberg that “by sea, land, and through 300 flights, we have provided nearly 40,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to secure the urgent needs of the Palestinians.” Some Emirati military planes stationed at El-Arish’s airport are capable of holding tonnes of food and medical supplies, recently delivering packages to northern Gaza, the area most affected by Israel’s military campaign.

Worsening Humanitarian Conditions

The humanitarian conditions in Gaza are dire. According to the Center For Strategic and International Studies, “the nature of food insecurity across the entire Gaza Strip is unprecedented in this century.” The United Nations reports that approximately 90 percent of the population in this densely populated strip have fled their homes and lack access to sufficient shelter, food, medical services, and clean water.

For individuals like Duaa’, a mother of five from Gaza, the UAE’s makeshift hospital has become a refuge. She arrived there with her children about three months ago after enduring months of constant bombardment. Duaa’ is awaiting a transfer to the Gulf country to receive a prosthetic limb after her right leg was amputated.

“I haven’t seen my husband in months — he’s in an Egyptian hospital, but his case was too critical to be moved here,” Duaa’ shared with Bloomberg. “This situation is harder than anyone can imagine.”

Call for Cease-Fire

Al Hashimy has called for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages and detainees held by Hamas to prevent further escalation in the region. She emphasized the “unprecedented state of instability” that currently prevails.

Cease-Fire Talks

Efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, have stalled for months. The situation has become even more complex following the assassination of Hamas’s political head in Tehran last week. Both Israel and Hamas have vowed retaliation, with Israel neither confirming nor denying responsibility.

Since the war began in October, Israel has committed to eliminating all Hamas leaders. The group, designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, initiated the conflict by invading southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. In the aftermath, more than 39,000 Palestinians have died due to Israel’s military campaign, as reported by the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

UAE-Israel Relations

The UAE formalized diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 through the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements brokered by former US President Donald Trump’s administration. These accords aimed to foster economic cooperation between Israel and the UAE while reducing regional and security tensions. However, the results have been mixed. The UAE has maintained dialogue with Israel throughout its conflict with Hamas but has been unable to curb Israel’s military aggression.

Moreover, the UAE faces criticism from other Arab countries for maintaining ties with Israel amid the ongoing bombardment of Palestinians.

A source familiar with the UAE government’s thinking, who is not authorized to speak publicly, stated that Abu Dhabi’s position on normalization with Israel remains unchanged. The UAE believes that diplomatic relations have enabled it to provide aid inside Gaza and engage in discussions with the Israeli government.

Regional Influence

The UAE’s substantial investment in Egypt, which helped avert an economic crisis, signals Abu Dhabi’s intent to assert influence among rival petroleum-rich Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. By focusing on humanitarian efforts in Gaza, the UAE has likely earned favor with the United States, according to Hertog of the London School of Economics.

This expanded role underscores the UAE’s ambition to become a key player in the region, leveraging its diplomatic ties and economic power to address complex geopolitical challenges while navigating the delicate balance of regional alliances.