The UAE is lobbying the Trump administration to reject an Egypt-drafted Gaza reconstruction plan endorsed by the Arab League. This rivalry raises concerns about U.S. interests, as both Egypt and UAE support Mohammed Dahlan as a power broker in Gaza while opposing Hamas’s influence. Amid heightened tensions and military aid reassessments, the future governance landscape of Gaza remains precarious.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively lobbying the Trump administration to dismiss a Gaza reconstruction plan proposed by Egypt and endorsed by the Arab League. This growing rivalry among Arab states regarding influence over Gaza’s governance and reconstruction is raising concerns among U.S. diplomats about potential impacts on U.S. interests in the region, as differing views on Hamas’s role create tension in diplomatic relations.
The Emirati efforts are particularly challenging for Cairo, as both nations favor Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah official, for governance in Gaza. U.S. officials indicated that, despite initial agreement, the UAE’s current stance seems contradictory, asserting that the UAE’s campaign against the Arab League plan is executed covertly with the Trump administration’s support. The UAE’s ambassador to the U.S., Yousef al-Otaiba, has engaged with Trump’s circle to discuss Egypt’s acceptance of displaced Palestinians, reflecting the UAE’s strategic interests.
The UAE has criticized Egypt’s Gaza plan for lacking clarity on dismantling Hamas, despite Egyptian officials asserting that the plan promotes governance by the Palestinian Authority. While the Hamas leadership has expressed acceptance, Israel remains opposed to international intervention. Concurrently, tensions heightened following a U.S-mediated ceasefire that has since collapsed, complicating efforts for peace in Gaza as hostilities resume.
Recent dialogues between the U.S. and Hamas, specifically involving Adam Boehler, raised alarms in Israel and garnered backlash from both the UAE and pro-Israel lawmakers. As the Trump administration has not publicly endorsed the Arab League plan, diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Egypt appear strained, with indications of potential military aid reductions.
Amidst anxieties about military assistance, which currently stands at $1.3 billion annually, U.S. officials have communicated to Egypt that aid reassessment is underway. Historical context reveals that U.S. aid is dwindling as a percentage of Egypt’s GDP, diminishing the substantial leverage the U.S. once held. Both Egyptian and Emirati authorities view Mohammed Dahlan as a significant influencer in Gaza’s governance, although their foreign policy aligns unevenly amid conflicts in neighboring Sudan and Somaliland.
As the U.S. continues to navigate these complex diplomatic waters, it remains evident that the future of Gaza’s governance, relations between Egypt and the UAE, and the broader geopolitical strategy will significantly impact regional stability.
The lobbying efforts of the UAE against Egypt’s Gaza plan underscore the increasing competition among Arab states regarding influence in the region. While both countries support the same power broker in Gaza, their strategies diverge, highlighting the complex dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and regional diplomacy. As tensions rise amidst ongoing hostilities, the future governance of Gaza remains uncertain, with potential implications for U.S.-Egypt relations and regional geopolitics.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
