United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and former U.S. President Donald Trump held discussions on Tuesday regarding efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Their conversation follows Israel’s resumption of military operations in the enclave last week, which ended a fragile two-month truce. According to Palestinian health officials, nearly 700 people, primarily women and children, have been killed since the fighting resumed on March 18.
During the call, the Emirati president emphasized the need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza residents and reiterated support for a two-state solution.
In February, Trump proposed a controversial plan for Gaza, which included displacing Palestinians and creating a Middle East “Riviera.” The proposal faced widespread condemnation from global leaders.
Meanwhile, Arab nations, including the UAE, have backed an Egyptian-led reconstruction plan for Gaza, estimated at $53 billion, which does not involve Palestinian displacement.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated on February 26 that any reconstruction efforts in Gaza must be tied to a clear path toward a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
The UAE is among the few Arab nations that normalized diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 through U.S.-brokered agreements under Trump’s administration.
According to Palestinian health authorities, Israel’s renewed military offensive has resulted in over 50,000 deaths in Gaza. The conflict initially erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack across the border, killing over 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.