UAE pressures Trump to oppose Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan
The UAE is pushing the Trump administration to reject a Gaza reconstruction plan proposed by Egypt and endorsed by the Arab League. This growing split has concerned US diplomats, who believe it may hurt US interests in the region. Both the UAE and Egypt support Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah official, but have different views on the role of Hamas in Gaza's governance. The UAE is using its connections to the White House to argue that the Gaza plan is impractical. They accuse Egypt of giving Hamas too much power. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the US, has been lobbying lawmakers to pressure Egypt into accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza. This has raised tensions, particularly because Hamas has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE seeks to eliminate. Egyptians assert that their plan for Gaza clearly assigns governance to the Palestinian Authority. It calls for training a security force in Gaza and suggests deploying UN peacekeepers, but Hamas’s involvement remains contentious, especially from Israel’s perspective. Recent violence has escalated in Gaza, with Israel cutting off electricity and conducting airstrikes that have killed numerous people. The Trump administration recently considered a plan for Hamas to release captives in exchange for a truce. However, the administration's fluctuating support for Israel and recent discussions with Hamas caused backlash from pro-Israel lawmakers. Some US officials are worried that the UAE's campaign could impact US military aid to Egypt, with potential cuts to aid being discussed. Egyptian officials have been lobbying for financial support, stressing the importance of US aid as part of the peace treaty with Israel. However, internal tensions are growing in Egypt regarding US influence and expectations. Both Egypt and the UAE share an interest in Dahlan's future role in Gaza but remain at odds over how to handle the current political situation. Recent developments in Sudan and other regional issues have further complicated their alliance. As discussions continue, there is uncertainty about the US's overall strategy in the region, especially concerning the humanitarian situation in Gaza.