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Plans for an multinational security mission mandated by the United Nations to disarm the militant group in the Gaza Strip are encountering increasing resistance after the United Arab Emirates announced it will not join due to the absence of a clear legal framework.

Growing Global Reservations

Israeli authorities have previously excluded Turkey participation, and Jordan's King Abdullah has stated that Jordanian forces will not participate. Azerbaijan, previously considered as a possible contributor, was absent from a preparatory session in Turkey and said it would not take part unless a full truce was in place.

The UAE lacks clarity on a defined structure for the stability force and under such circumstances will not participate, but backs all diplomatic efforts towards resolution – and remain at the vanguard of relief efforts.

Regional Skepticism and Juridical Concerns

The UAE's announcement, made by diplomatic representative Dr Anwar Gargash at a forum in the UAE capital, reflects regional reservations about the provisions of a US-drafted document previously circulated to delegates at the UN in NYC. The draft places an onus on a American-led security mission to be the primary means of imposing order in Gaza after Israeli forces have withdrawn from the territory.

Regional governments would prefer expanded responsibilities to be assigned to a distinct local civilian police force. Global jurisprudence would also prohibit external forces from entering occupied Palestinian territories unless there was clear Palestinian consent; otherwise, the mission could be viewed as imposed under UN law, and arguably stabilising an unlawful Israeli occupation.

Local Perspectives and Calls for Clarity

Jamal Nusseibeh of the ceasefire proposal said: “It is essential that the force be sent not to stabilise the unlawful Israeli occupation, but to enforce global standards and end it. The force will work as long as it operates in the entire disputed land, including the West Bank, at the invitation of Palestine, and has a clear objective to conclude the presence within the context of a sovereign Palestinian state.”

The draft contains no reference to the West Bank in the US draft resolution, or to a Palestinian state, or a peaceful resolution, a outcome that Israeli leadership opposes.

Ongoing Negotiations and Possible Risks

In-depth negotiations on the mission authority, including its command and control, started formally on Thursday in New York, and appear to be protracted – potentially creating the development of a power gap in Gaza that may strengthen militant factions.

The US is suggesting that it command the force although it will not have many personnel involved on the ground. It has already in effect taken control of the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory from a recently established logistical hub based in the neighboring country.

Mission Objectives and Governance Role

The proposed US resolution defines the aim of the security mission as “along with the newly trained and vetted police force to assist in protecting frontier zones, secure the safety situation in Gaza by ensuring the procedure of disarming the Gaza Strip including the destruction and prevention of reconstructing the militant and offensive infrastructure as well as the permanent decommissioning of weapons from militant factions”.

The mission, answerable to a “peace council” led by the former US president, and not to the United Nations, would be mandated to use “any required actions” to fulfill its objectives.

Regional powers including Qatari officials are also worried that this authority is overly broad, and if Hamas is to lay down arms, the faction will only do so to fellow Palestinians, likely in the local law enforcement, at a moment that, from the militant perspective, signifies the end of Israeli presence.

They also worry the proposed authority spills into giving the mission a governance role in Gaza, a task that was to be set aside for a Palestinian expert panel working in cooperation with a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Aid Aspects and Funding Questions

This “transitional governance administration” in the strip would stay until “the local government has satisfactorily completed its reform program, the satisfaction of which shall be acceptable to the BoP”, the proposal states. It also “underscores the importance” of full humanitarian aid in Gaza, including through the UN, the ICRC, and the humanitarian organizations.

However, it allows for the exclusion of “any organisation found to have improperly used such assistance”. The wording permits the council barring Unrwa, the organization that the international court of justice has ruled is the lawful distributor of aid.

Global Political Initiatives

French officials and Saudi representatives are already advocating for a reference to a Palestinian state to be added in the resolution. The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is scheduled in the US presidential residence on the specified date, and Manal Radwan has stated that a reference to a Palestinian state is a requirement.

The PA chair, Mahmoud Abbas, met the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in the French capital on Monday to discuss the PA role.

Not the UN nor the 15-member UNSC are assigned a supervisory role over the mission, monitoring the implementation of the resolution, a aspect largely ignored by the draft text. No details is specified about the funding of this stabilisation mission, which, according to the Americans, should be largely covered by regional nations, with the Kingdom taking the lead.

Israel's Demands and Regional Situations

Israeli authorities is requesting formal assurances from the United States that it be permitted to emulate the model of the Lebanese situation and reserve the authority to return to the territory if it believes disarmament is not taking place at a level or pace it demands.

The Israeli proposal was presented to the former US advisor, the ex-president's relative, and the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The advisor was in Jerusalem on this week to discuss progress on the truce and Witkoff was scheduled to arrive subsequently the same day.

Just the remains of a small number of the initial 251 Israeli hostages are still not recovered.

Separately, Israel has been proposing that the Gaza Strip could yet be divided in two parts with rebuilding efforts beginning in the Israel occupied areas of the region. International officials insist that this is not part of the Trump plan.