UAE backs off Gaza stabilization mission for lack of clear framework 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has indicated it probably will not participate in the proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza Strip because there is no clear operational or legal framework, a senior official said.

Speaking at a forum in Abu Dhabi, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash described the move as one of caution. He told attendees that the UAE “does not yet see a clear framework for the stability force, and under such circumstances will probably not participate in such a force.

This decision comes at a sensitive time, as the United States pushes ahead with its plan to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza as part of its cease-fire initiative. The proposal envisions a force that would help enforce peace in Gaza and manage post-conflict conditions.

What the proposal entails and the UAE’s hesitation

The planned force referred to as the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) is tied to the Donald Trump administration’s broader cease-fire and reconstruction strategy for Gaza. The US is seeking to codify the plan via a vote at the United Nations Security Council.

According to the reporting, President Trump has asserted that multiple countries have volunteered to contribute troops to the ISF. But Arab diplomats, speaking privately, say they are hesitant to commit forces especially if that means confronting Hamas directly, given that the group has publicly refused to disarm.

For the UAE, the hesitation seems to hinge on several factors:

No clearly defined mandate for how the force would operate, who would command it, or the rules of engagement
Potential liability or legal complexities for participating states
The risk of deep entanglement in a volatile conflict zone without clear exit or success criteria

Anwar Gargash’s remarks suggest that until such uncertainties are resolved, the UAE will refrain from joining.

What the UAE decision signals for regional politics

The UAE’s likely abstention is significant for several reasons:

1. Regional credibility and role.
The UAE has positioned itself in recent years as a key diplomatic player in the Middle East, bridging between the Arab world and Western partners. By signalling non-participation, it signals caution about being drawn into a high-risk mission without guarantees.

2. Message to the US and international community.
The decision may serve as a reminder to the US and other coalition partners that meaningful participation requires a robust operational framework and legal clarity — and not simply a call for troops.

3. Implications for the Gaza plan itself.
If one of the region’s more capable and globally-connected states declines to join, it raises questions about how many others will sign on. Limited participation could weaken the force’s legitimacy or effectiveness.

4. UAE internal considerations.
Domestically and diplomatically, the UAE has to weigh the costs of engagement the risk of casualties, the diplomatic blowback in the Arab-Muslim world, and complications in global image. Staying out may preserve its flexibility.

What comes next and what to keep watch on

With the UAE likely sitting out, several issues are now more urgent:

Which countries will step in? If key regional states abstain, the burden may fall onto Western or other less-connected states.
Will the US revise the plan or offer stronger oversight, legal protections, or clearer mandates to encourage participation?
How will Hamas respond? Any force entering Gaza without Hamas’s cooperation faces serious challenges.
What timeline is the US working to? Delay in assembling the force may undermine its effectiveness in stabilising Gaza.
How will the UAE publicly frame its decision and manage diplomatic fallout with allies who join the force or with Palestinian stakeholders?

Conclusion

The UAE’s decision to hold back from joining the Gaza stabilisation force underscores how complex post-conflict operations can be. On paper, a dedicated international force offers the promise of stabilising a highly volatile region. But in practice, without a clear legal, operational and diplomatic framework, even leading regional powers are reluctant to step forward.

For now, the broader mission to stabilise Gaza — and how many states will commit — remains in question. The UAE’s stance highlights the need for a carefully defined plan before states commit troops to what could become a highly complicated and contested mission.

If you like, I can also pull together commentary from regional analysts on how this may affect Gulf states’ future roles or the impact on the US mediation efforts.

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