A secret meeting between the U.S., Israel, and the United Arab Emirates was held in Abu Dhabi to discuss potential strategies for governing the Gaza Strip after the end of the ongoing war. The meeting, which took place on Thursday, suggests that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be considering plans for the future of Gaza following repeated calls for a cease-fire. Details about the meeting are scarce, and it is unclear if options for ending the war were also discussed. Despite international pressure, Netanyahu has vowed not to cease the offensive until Hamas is eradicated. In December, he suggested taking full control of Gaza to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, a reversal of Israel’s 2005 agreement to withdraw from the region.
The assault by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, led to swift retaliation by Israel in the Gaza Strip, resulting in international condemnation due to high civilian casualties. Netanyahu’s firm stance on not ending the offensive until Hamas is eliminated has been met with criticism and international pressure to seek a peaceful resolution. The Abu Dhabi meeting was hosted by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed and attended by various officials, including White House coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. The meeting took place one day after UAE special envoy Lana Nusseibeh proposed a “day-after” plan in an op-ed for the Financial Times. Netanyahu is also expected to discuss the Gaza war with President Biden and Congress during his trip to Washington this week.
The meeting in Abu Dhabi is a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, indicating that Netanyahu and other officials are actively considering post-war governance strategies for the region. The involvement of the U.S. and the UAE in these discussions suggests a coordinated effort to address the aftermath of the conflict and potentially work towards a resolution. Netanyahu’s position on not ending the offensive until Hamas is eradicated has raised concerns about the escalating violence and civilian casualties, prompting calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The meeting’s timing, just before Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, indicates that the war in Gaza will be a central topic of discussion in his meetings with President Biden and Congress.
The meeting in Abu Dhabi underscores the complex and delicate nature of the situation in Gaza, with multiple stakeholders involved in discussions about the region’s future. Israel’s potential reversal of its 2005 agreement to withdraw from Gaza by considering taking full control of the region highlights the shifting dynamics in the conflict. The involvement of high-level officials from the U.S., Israel, and the UAE in the meeting signals a coordinated effort to address the challenges of post-war governance in Gaza. As the conflict continues to escalate and draw international condemnation, the need for a peaceful resolution becomes increasingly urgent, with pressure mounting on all parties to seek a negotiated settlement that will bring an end to the violence and civilian suffering.
The meeting in Abu Dhabi and the subsequent discussions around post-war governance in Gaza reflect the complex political and strategic considerations at play in the region. Netanyahu’s steadfast position on not ending the offensive until Hamas is eradicated underscores the challenges of finding a resolution that satisfies all parties involved in the conflict. The involvement of the U.S. and the UAE in the discussions points to a coordinated effort to address the aftermath of the conflict and work towards a sustainable solution for Gaza’s future governance. The ongoing violence and civilian casualties in Gaza highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with international pressure mounting on all sides to seek a negotiated settlement that will bring an end to the suffering in the region. Netanyahu’s upcoming meetings with President Biden and Congress in Washington are expected to focus on the war in Gaza, indicating that the conflict remains a top priority for all parties involved.
