UAE seeks to take over full civil administration in Gaza with Israeli backing

The United Arab Emirates is seeking to take full control of civil affairs in the Gaza Strip, with Israeli support for the move, as part of the transition to the second phase of the war ceasefire agreement, according to an Israeli media report.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Sunday evening that the UAE has held talks in recent weeks with the United States and Israel about managing civilian matters in Gaza.

The report said Abu Dhabi aims to oversee all civil affairs in the territory and plans to invest billions of dollars in Gaza. Under the proposal, several billion dollars would be transferred immediately, with further investments to follow at a later stage.

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According to the channel, an agreement between the two governments is currently being drafted, although its details still require Israeli approval. However, draft versions of the agreement have already been exchanged, and Israel supports the initiative.

The report added that the UAE intends to manage all markets and trade in Gaza. Armed security forces would be deployed to protect logistics centres that are planned to be set up across the territory.

Alongside Emirati security forces, private American security companies would also operate in Gaza, the report said.

The UAE also plans to purchase all goods entering Gaza from Israel and to use Israeli contractors. Distribution centres would be upgraded into logistics hubs, from which goods would be delivered to the private sector inside the Gaza Strip.

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