Gaza needs temporary international mission, UAE's Nusseibeh says

Advocating a sustainable and just peace, UAE Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calls for joint strategy to break cycle of violence in the enclave

Lana Nusseibeh, who was UAE ambassador to the UN at the time, speaks alongside representatives from other nations in December 2023 in New York. Reuters

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Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has called for a “temporary” international mission to confront the Gaza crisis.

Ms Nusseibeh, who also serves as Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised that as the international community deliberates on the post-conflict future of Gaza, the “goal cannot be a return to the status quo before October 7".

“Any ‘day after' effort must fundamentally alter the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict towards the establishment of a Palestinian state that lives in peace and security with the state of Israel,” Ms Nusseibeh wrote in an opinion piece in the Financial Times.

Advocating a sustainable and just peace, Ms Nusseibeh called for a joint strategy to “break” the cycle of violence in Gaza and “build a foundation” for a new future for Israel and Palestine.

The first step, she said, would be the deployment of the temporary international mission that responds to the humanitarian crisis, establishes law and order, lays the groundwork for government and paves the way to reuniting Gaza and the occupied West Bank under a single, legitimate Palestinian Authority.

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The mission, focused on these four priorities, could be a central part of a broader strategy to help the Palestinian people achieve their aspirations of statehood through meaningful negotiation, she wrote.

But a temporary international presence in Gaza can only be established through a formal invitation from the Palestinian Authority led by an empowered, credible and independent new prime minister, argued Ms Nusseibeh.

She stressed that Israel, as the “occupying power”, must contribute to recovery efforts, stating Gaza's rehabilitation is impossible under the current blockade. She said rebuilding cannot proceed without the Palestinian Authority assuming its responsibilities.

“Such a mission will need the full and steadfast backing of all relevant stakeholders that are committed to peace. With different capabilities and resources at our disposal, each of us can play a critical role in this process,” Ms Nusseibeh wrote.

“The countries in the region can and must contribute significantly, for peace between Palestinians and Israelis is first and foremost in our own interest.”

She proposed a “rigorous” monitoring system to enforce the ceasefire's terms, emphasising that such measures are essential for post-conflict stabilisation and recovery.

In addition, she stressed that to put in place an effective humanitarian response plan for Gaza's recovery, a temporary international mission should neither replace the UN nor the work of its agencies on the ground.

Instead, it must collaborate with the UN system, amplifying its resources and mandate.

“We are under no illusions,” she added. “We know that advancing such an effort will be extremely difficult. However, from our long experience of this conflict, we are confident that most Israelis and Palestinians yearn for peace.”

UAE aid for Gaza is loaded at Al Arish airport – in pictures

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  Aid is loaded on to a military plane at Al Arish International Airport, Egypt, to be dropped over Gaza. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Aid is loaded on to a military plane at Al Arish International Airport, Egypt, to be dropped over Gaza

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  Aid is loaded on to a military plane at Al Arish International Airport, Egypt, to be dropped over Gaza

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  Aid is loaded on to a military plane at Al Arish International Airport, Egypt, to be dropped over Gaza

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  Aid is loaded on to a military plane at Al Arish International Airport, Egypt, to be dropped over Gaza

Ms Nusseibeh previously served as the UAE's ambassador to the UN, and her country held a rotating seat on the Security Council during her tenure. As ambassador, Ms Nusseibeh frequently highlighted the need to bring aid into Gaza and quickly bring about a ceasefire.

She was awarded the Shield of Palestine in April for her efforts.

“On both sides the future must be led by those who speak responsibly, those who understand that peace demands dignity and equality for both peoples and begin negotiations on that basis,” Ms Nusseibeh told the Security Council in January. “What is needed is a valid, defined, benchmarked and agreed-upon way towards the two-state solution, and one that includes a workable governance structure. This is the only way to end this conflict sustainably and prevent the cycle of violence ‒ inflicted upon both Palestinians and Israelis ‒ from forever being repeated.”

The UAE has been a major donor to Gazans throughout the conflict, delivering almost 39,000 tonnes of urgent supplies and engaging in 18 missions to evacuate severely ill and injured Palestinians for medical treatment in the Emirates.

It has also established six desalination plants on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, which produce about 1.6 million gallons of water daily and have the capacity to serve up to 600,000 Palestinians.