The United Arab Emirates has called for an immediate end to the Gaza war during high-level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the urgency of a UAE Gaza ceasefire call, pressing Israel to return to diplomacy and reiterating Abu Dhabi’s long-standing support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.
UAE signals frustration with ongoing conflict
The meeting, which came on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, underscored rising regional unease about the conflict, now entering its twelfth month with devastating humanitarian consequences. According to diplomatic sources, Sheikh Abdullah directly conveyed that the continuation of hostilities is unsustainable and risks destabilizing not only Gaza but the broader Middle East.
While the UAE has maintained relations with Israel since the Abraham Accords of 2020, the Gaza war has strained those ties. “The UAE cannot remain silent while the conflict deepens,” Sheikh Abdullah reportedly told Netanyahu. “An immediate ceasefire is essential, not only for the people of Gaza but also for regional stability”.
Analysts view the remarks as a calibrated yet firm shift in tone. Although the UAE has positioned itself as a bridge between Israel and Arab states, it has faced growing domestic and regional criticism for maintaining open diplomatic channels with Tel Aviv while civilian casualties mount in Gaza.
Netanyahu resists calls to halt offensive
In contrast, Netanyahu used his UN address to double down on Israel’s military campaign, insisting that the country must “finish the job” in Gaza. He also rejected recognition of a Palestinian state under current conditions, arguing that doing so would reward extremism. This stark divergence highlights the widening gap between Israel’s security-driven narrative and the regional demand for de-escalation. Observers note that Netanyahu is under intense political pressure at home to maintain a hard line, with critics accusing him of prolonging the conflict to preserve his coalition government.
Humanitarian toll and diplomatic urgency
The war in Gaza has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced nearly two million people, and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine. International aid organizations have repeatedly warned of catastrophic consequences if a ceasefire is not reached soon.
For the UAE, the humanitarian angle carries particular weight. Abu Dhabi has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in relief aid for Gaza and has coordinated medical evacuations for wounded civilians. By pressing Israel for a ceasefire, the UAE aims to align its diplomacy with its humanitarian efforts, strengthening its credibility both at home and abroad.
Two-state solution back at the forefront
Sheikh Abdullah’s remarks in New York reaffirmed the UAE’s official stance that the creation of an independent Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, remains the only sustainable solution. The UAE’s call comes as
momentum for renewed peace talks is building among Arab states, which fear that prolonged war could derail normalization efforts across the region. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have also signaled readiness to push for a collective diplomatic track that brings the two-state solution back into the spotlight.
U.S. and global role in mediation
The UAE’s intervention also puts pressure on Washington, Israel’s closest ally, to step up mediation efforts. U.S. officials have described the latest round of talks with Middle Eastern leaders, including the UAE, as “intense” but stressed that progress remains elusive.
Meanwhile, European powers and the UN have echoed calls for restraint. The walkout of several delegations during Netanyahu’s UN speech reflected mounting frustration with Israel’s refusal to consider an immediate ceasefire.
Regional stability at stake
The stakes extend beyond Gaza. Prolonged war risks inflaming unrest in the West Bank, straining Egypt’s border security, and heightening tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Gulf states worry that the conflict could
erode the fragile architecture of normalization agreements painstakingly built over the past five years.
By confronting Netanyahu directly, the UAE has positioned itself as a key diplomatic player seeking to prevent further escalation. While it remains unclear if Israel will heed the call, Abu Dhabi’s intervention highlights growing impatience in the Arab world and a renewed push to re-anchor the Middle East peace process around the two-state framework.
Outlook
The meeting in New York signals a critical juncture. If Israel continues to reject ceasefire appeals, it risks alienating not just adversaries but also partners who were once instrumental in breaking regional taboos through normalization. For the UAE, balancing pragmatic ties with Israel against its responsibility to the Palestinian cause will remain a diplomatic tightrope. Yet its clear message – that peace and stability cannot be achieved without ending the Gaza war and reviving the two-state solution – has set the tone for the next phase of Middle East diplomacy.
