The UAE is lobbying the Trump administration to reject Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan endorsed by the Arab League. This rising opposition reflects competition among Arab states over Gaza’s governance and concerns about Hamas’s influence. The situation has implications for US-Egypt relations, including potential changes to military aid amid growing tensions and mixed signals from the Trump administration regarding Palestinian displacement.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively lobbying the Trump administration to reject an Arab League-sponsored post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza, drafted by Egypt. This increasing rift draws concern from US diplomats, as it threatens US interests in the region due to escalating competition among Arab states over Gaza’s future governance and how much influence Hamas should retain. The UAE asserts that its position opposes what it views as Egypt’s excessive appeasement of Hamas, even while both countries support Palestinian leader Mohammed Dahlan.
UAE Ambassador to the USA, Yousef al-Otaiba, is engaging with President Trump’s administration to challenge Egypt’s handling of the Gaza situation, arguing that the proposed plan is impractical. He has implied a preference for the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, echoing sentiments expressed earlier by Trump. Moreover, the UAE’s opposition stems from its broader agenda to counter Hamas, seen as associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE seeks to suppress across the Middle East.
Critics of Egypt’s Gaza plan claim it lacks details for disarming Hamas, while Egyptian officials maintain that governance will be transferred to the Palestinian Authority. The plan suggests a new security force trained by Jordan and Egypt, with the potential deployment of UN peacekeepers, a prospect that Israel opposes. Following a fragile ceasefire established by the US in January, escalating violence continues to jeopardize the situation in Gaza.
The Trump administration recently revived discussions regarding military aid to Egypt, indicating a potential reassessment due to the UAE’s lobbying efforts. While military assistance remains a lynchpin of US-Egypt relations, reports suggest the administration may cut aid in future years unless Egypt agrees to the forced displacement of Palestinians, complicating existing tensions.
Tensions are further heightened by the UAE’s competing interests in the region, particularly relating to Mohammed Dahlan, whom both Egypt and the UAE see as a power broker for Gaza’s future. The estrangement is accentuated by both nations competing for influence in various regional hotspots, including Sudan. Moreover, the Trump administration’s mixed signals regarding Gaza and US relations with Egypt provoke concern among US State Department officials. In concluding discussions, concurrent pressure from varied Arab states complicates the already tense scenario following the US’s endorsement of initiatives in support of forcibly displaced Palestinians.
In summary, the UAE’s vigorous lobbying against the Gaza reconstruction plan is indicative of a deeper rivalry with Egypt over influence in Palestinian affairs. This growing discord signals potential shifts in US foreign policy and regional alliances, intertwining the fates of Egyptian and Palestinian interests in a context of precarious stability.
In conclusion, the UAE’s efforts to reject the Arab League’s Gaza plan indicate a significant shift in regional dynamics and demonstrate a complex interplay of power among Arab states. With the backdrop of US foreign policy considerations and the impending reevaluation of military aid to Egypt, the ramifications of this conflict extend beyond Gaza, posing broader implications for stability in the region. The evolving relationship illustrates the intricate balance of power and differing agendas across influential states in the Middle East.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
