UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza amidst escalating conflicts. Nearly 700 people have died since fighting resumed, prompting calls for humanitarian aid and a two-state solution. The UAE and other Arab states propose a reconstruction plan avoiding Palestinian displacement, unlike Trump’s controversial plan. There is a deep focus on the necessity of establishing peace and reconstruction amidst ongoing violence.
On Tuesday, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in a phone discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump concerning efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza. This conversation took place as Israel resumed military operations in the region following a two-month ceasefire that had been fragile. Reports indicate that nearly 700 individuals, primarily women and children, have been killed since the fighting resumed on March 18, according to Palestinian health officials.
During the call, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the necessity of providing aid to residents in Gaza and supporting the implementation of a two-state solution. The Emirati leader’s appeal comes in the wake of Trump’s February plan for Gaza, which faced severe criticism due to its implications for displacing Palestinians and its ambitious vision of creating a Mediterranean-like resort in the region.
In contrast, Arab nations, including the UAE, have rallied around an alternative Egyptian reconstruction initiative for Gaza, which is estimated to cost $53 billion and is designed to avoid displacing Palestinians. Notably, WAM’s report did not clarify whether the two leaders discussed these recent plans during their call.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE diplomatic adviser, highlighted on February 26 that any reconstruction for Gaza is contingent upon establishing a clear route toward a two-state solution, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.
The UAE was one of the few Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 as part of agreements brokered by Trump. Historically, the ongoing conflict has had severe human costs; Palestinian health agencies report Israeli military actions since October 7, 2023, have resulted in over 50,000 deaths, following Hamas’s cross-border attack that claimed more than 1,200 Israeli lives, primarily civilians, and led to the capture of approximately 250 individuals into Gaza.
The dialogue between UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and U.S. President Donald Trump reflects ongoing international efforts to address the conflict in Gaza. With mounting civilian casualties and the collapse of a recent ceasefire, the necessity for humanitarian aid and a viable two-state solution remains critical. Additionally, the contrasting proposals highlight different approaches to reconstructing Gaza and the broader implications for Palestinian displacement and regional stability.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
