Hebrew Media: Israel Aims for UAE Partnership in Gaza Post-War

 

Hebrew media have reported that Israel seeks an exclusive partnership with its ally, the UAE, in Gaza following the military campaign it has been conducting since October 7.

The Hebrew newspaper “Israel Today” disclosed that Israel has reached out to the UAE to play a “decisive role” in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the conflict.

The report highlighted a recent covert visit by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer—widely regarded as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest advisor—to Abu Dhabi.

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

Dermer reportedly conveyed a critical message to Emirati officials, emphasizing the necessity of a tangible Emirati presence in Gaza as a key component of the post-war resolution.

Building on this diplomatic foundation, two high-ranking Israeli military officials are set to visit the UAE on Wednesday. The purpose of their visit is to continue discussions on post-war strategy with their Emirati counterparts.

According to Israeli security sources, these discussions will focus on advancing the previously proposed concept of “humanitarian bubbles” for Gaza’s future.

The newspaper explained that this innovative idea involves creating humanitarian zones within Gaza, managed by local entities. The UAE is expected to play a central role as a significant financial backer in establishing these areas.

In addition to the financial support, the strategy involves rehabilitating infrastructure for the civilian population in Gaza and establishing a security framework for these “humanitarian bubbles.” This security component is crucial, as a primary concern in transferring control to local entities in Gaza is the potential for violent opposition from Palestinian factions.

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

Two Israeli officials informed the site that the meeting, held last Thursday in Abu Dhabi, focused on 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 for how to govern Gaza after the war.”

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

From the American side, Brett McGurk, President Biden’s Middle East affairs advisor, 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 who had been working on Israel’s proposals for next-day plans for the Gaza Strip traveled with Dermer to Abu Dhabi.

A few days ago, the UAE publicly announced its involvement in Israel’s plans to perpetuate the occupation of the Gaza Strip by expressing its readiness to participate within multinational forces after the ongoing Israeli war for the tenth month.

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

Nusseibeh called for the deployment of a temporary international mission in Gaza, which was rejected by the Palestinian factions, which confirmed that they would deal with any Arab or international force as an occupying force.

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

But Abu Dhabi wants the international force to enter Gaza based on an official invitation from the Palestinian Authority, for the latter to carry out meaningful reforms, and for it to be led by a new prime minister who enjoys authority and independence.

The United States will have a leadership role in any “day after” initiative.

Axios highlighted that the Emiratis want to be part of the solution in Gaza that will not include Hamas, but they also have strong reservations about the current leadership of the Palestinian Authority.

During a meeting last June with several Arab ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Abu Zeid referred to the Palestinian leadership as “Ali Baba and the forty thieves.”

The Emiratis conveyed to the Biden administration that the new Palestinian Prime Minister, Muhammad Mustafa, is closely aligned with Abbas and, therefore, unlikely to implement the necessary reforms independently.

The Emiratis advocated for other candidates, including former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, a critic of Abbas, instead of Abbas.

In light of the strong bilateral alliance, Netanyahu expressed his desire for Emirati involvement in the “day-after” plan for Gaza.

The Israeli Prime Minister seeks the UAE’s involvement in sending troops, financing the reconstruction, and reforming the education system in Gaza to “de-radicalize” the population.

However, Netanyahu is currently unwilling to end the war and rejects any official role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, as well as resuming the political process based on the two-state solution.

Months ago, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant proposed a plan for the post-war situation in Gaza that closely resembled the Emirati proposal, but Netanyahu immediately dismissed it.

Now, Israeli officials indicate that Netanyahu is showing greater openness, at least privately, to support Gallant’s plan and discuss it with the United States and the UAE.

An Israeli official said, “Netanyahu attacked the Gallant plan and obstructed it for months, but now he took it, translated it into English, and gave it to Dermer to present it to the Emiratis and Americans as if it were his invention.”

The Biden administration has been pressuring Netanyahu for months to seriously discuss the next day’s plan, especially as efforts continue to try to reach an agreement on prisoners and a ceasefire.

It was the UAE that normalized relations with Israel in 2020, and maintained its communication with the Jewish state despite the Israeli war of annihilation in Gaza.

Many Arab officials have expressed fears of being seen as entering Gaza on the back of Israeli tanks, and the risks of being drawn into the insurgency fight there.