Ceasefire in Gaza: A Turning Point or a Risk, says UAE Official (May Allah grant peace)
Assalamu alaykum - The UAE's senior official Dr Anwar Gargash warned that the Gaza war cannot simply return to how things were before 2023. He said we stand at a crossroads: a ceasefire could be “a chance for good” or “a dangerous step” depending on what leaders do next.
Dr Gargash reminded listeners that we need a real path to lasting peace, not a reset to the previous status quo. He described recent events as an earthquake that changed everything and said repeating containment or going back to October 6, 2023, would help no one. He argued that the old maximalist approaches to the Palestinian cause no longer work and that we must recognise there are two national movements competing over the same land - and a fair outcome must be found.
He warned that the current moment could turn perilous if parties act as though nothing has happened in recent years, referring to Israel, Iran, and armed groups in the region. Dr Gargash repeated the UAE’s support for a two-state solution within an Arab and international framework that secures Israel while granting Palestinians a viable state.
Dr Gargash also noted the UAE’s humanitarian role in Gaza, saying the country has sent billions in aid and large shipments of food and medical supplies. He said having diplomatic relations with Israel made certain humanitarian access possible, including bringing some families to safety.
He described the Abraham Accords as one piece of a broader regional peace puzzle, saying those agreements gave the UAE leverage on issues like annexation and helped push for the recent ceasefire. Another piece, he added, is the realisation that confrontation has not delivered results for Palestinians nor the security Israel seeks.
The international focus, he said, should be on making the US-led Gaza plan work. The first phase, which paused fighting and included hostage releases in exchange for detainees, is in effect; the harder questions about disarmament of militant groups and future governance remain for later phases.
The UAE, he said, is ready to assist however possible and will press for clarity on whether agreements lead toward a Palestinian state, using all its capabilities to support that outcome. “People want a lasting peace that truly secures Israel and gives Palestinians the state they deserve,” he said.
Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State, added that letting regional conflicts fester has been a strategic mistake by the international community. She pointed to disruptions like Houthi attacks on shipping as consequences of unresolved tensions and said non-state actors and political instability must be addressed to bring prosperity.
Both speakers stressed continued diplomatic effort and the importance of a new vision for coexistence and stability in the region. May Allah guide leaders to what is best for the people and bring a just, lasting peace to Gaza and Palestine.
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