UAE denies report that it’s planning to take over civil administration of Gaza

The United Arab Emirates “categorically denies a false and unfounded” Israeli media report claiming that Abu Dhabi will be taking over the civilian administration of Gaza.

“The UAE has repeatedly reaffirmed that Gaza’s governance and administration are the responsibility of the Palestinian people,” reads a statement attributed to UAE Minister for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy, who is the Emirati representative on the Board of Peace’s Gaza Executive Board.

Hashimy “underscores that the UAE remains committed to scaling up its humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza and advancing a durable peace between Israelis and Palestinians, including through its role as a Board of Peace founding member and its membership on the Gaza Executive Board,” she adds.

Citing only unnamed Israeli sources, Channel 12 reported on Sunday that the UAE was in advanced negotiations with the US to take over the civilian administration of Gaza, which would include an investment of several billion dollars.

The development would be a break from Abu Dhabi’s stance for much of the war that it is only prepared to play a significant role in the postwar management of Gaza if Hamas is disarmed, the Palestinian Authority is granted a foothold under a new, empowered prime minister and the effort is part of a broader move toward a two-state solution.

The US has nonetheless been pushing the UAE to engage and invest significantly in the Board of Peace, tapping an Emirati ally, Nickolay Mladenov, to serve as the board’s top Gaza envoy. A former UN envoy, Mladenov’s most recent post has been the head of the UAE’s diplomatic academy in Abu Dhabi.