Do the UAE’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza amount to simple relief work, or do they signal a broader geopolitical strategy that goes beyond humanitarian concerns to establish a meaningful regional role?
A close examination of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent statements offers illuminating insights. As the UAE’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, his interview with Fox News during US President Donald Trump’s historic visit to the region presents a window into the Emirates’ comprehensive strategic thinking and official policy toward both the Gaza crisis and the Palestinian cause more broadly.
The interview, timed with a visit carrying considerable political and economic weight for the region, constitutes a clear statement of official UAE policy at a decisive juncture in regional history. The approach outlined here moves well past traditional humanitarian work to forge what might be called humanitarian diplomacy, blending moral imperatives with strategic calculations in the UAE’s official response to Gaza and Palestinian affairs.
The UAE has contributed over 42% of all international humanitarian aid to Gaza in the past two years. Such a staggering figure raises an important question about what drives such an extraordinary commitment to the Palestinian cause, specifically regarding Gaza.
The UAE’s Gaza assistance centers on the Gallant Knight 3 initiative, a remarkable example of organized humanitarian action. Since the crisis began, the Emirates has operated a massive airlift and sea transport operation, moving thousands of tons of food, medical supplies, and relief materials to the blockaded territory.
Such a sophisticated logistical undertaking showcases an impressive ability to navigate the geopolitical and security obstacles that typically prevent aid from reaching conflict zones.
What distinguishes UAE aid is its comprehensive scope, addressing the full spectrum of civilian needs rather than just basic food and medicine. The assistance includes shelter materials, clean water, and fuel to keep hospitals and water treatment facilities running.
Such breadth demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of what populations actually need in conflict situations, going well past the typical focus on food distribution alone.
The UAE’s approach demonstrates a keen awareness of how humanitarian work intersects with political influence. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed made the connection explicit, directly crediting the Abraham Accords for enabling the aid effort.
As he put it, without the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel, and the pivotal role played by Trump, delivering such volume of aid to the Strip would not be possible.
The UAE’s massive efforts have produced genuine innovation in aid delivery, finding ways around traditional barriers. Most notably, they have established a direct sea route from Cyprus to Gaza and built a temporary floating dock along Gaza’s coast. Such logistics allow for aid shipments far exceeding what is possible through the limited land crossings. Such logistical creativity demonstrates real strategic capability, opening new channels for humanitarian work under extraordinarily difficult conditions.
The UAE’s innovative approach
The genius of the UAE strategy lies in turning obstacles into opportunities, using diplomatic relationships to advance humanitarian goals. The contrast is striking. While many actors have failed to deliver meaningful aid despite their tough rhetoric, the UAE has taken a practical approach and achieved real humanitarian impact. The UAE operates on multiple levels simultaneously, providing direct aid to meet immediate humanitarian needs, pushing for long-term political solutions, and positioning itself as a credible mediator in the process.
UAE humanitarian work serves as a powerful form of soft power, building regional and international influence through practical action rather than rhetoric. Such thinking demonstrates how UAE strategic thinking has evolved to recognize that true power today includes humanitarian and cultural dimensions, not just military and economic strength.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed was direct about Hamas, calling for releasing hostages first, achieving calm in Gaza, and establishing an authority that excludes Hamas.
Such a blunt position demonstrates nuanced strategic thinking about Palestinian internal dynamics. The UAE’s Hamas stance stems from a hard-headed assessment of what the group’s Gaza control has meant in practice. From the UAE perspective, Hamas constitutes a real threat to regional stability and any prospect for comprehensive peace.
The Emirates draws a sharp line between supporting Palestinian people and endorsing Hamas as an organization. Such careful distinction shows nuanced thinking about Palestinian politics that goes past simplistic positions.The UAE’s Hamas position fits within a broader regional security framework focused on countering extremism. Such positioning generates a substantial obstacle.
How do you help Palestinian civilians without strengthening Hamas politically? The UAE believes it has found the answer through direct civilian assistance that bypasses Hamas structures.
Experience shows that resolving intricate crises requires balancing humanitarian, political, and security concerns. Such balance is exactly what the UAE seeks for its Gaza vision, built on three foundations: hostage release, stability, and effective Palestinian governance.
The UAE recognizes that humanitarian aid alone would solve Gaza’s crisis. The underlying political and security problems need addressing too. For such reasons their Hamas position connects directly to their broader regional vision.
The UAE approach skillfully balances principles with interests, managing to maintain both humanitarian commitment to Palestinians and regional security concerns. Such careful balance defines UAE diplomacy on Gaza. The Emirates offers a fresh model for engaging Palestinian issues that moves past the old choice between “armed resistance” and “unconditional normalization” toward what might be called “constructive peace” that produces real results for Palestinian people.
The UAE approach constitutes a real turn in Arab diplomacy. It moves past traditional emotional appeals to embrace pragmatic diplomacy focused on concrete results rather than stirring slogans. Through its Gaza policy, the UAE seeks to cement its role as an influential regional power capable of handling intricate crises. Such a growing role combines humanitarian action with smart diplomacy in an effective strategic package.
The UAE’s Gaza approach, as Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed outlined it, constitutes sophisticated humanitarian diplomacy that weaves together moral concerns with strategic interests. Despite the obvious obstacles, such a model points toward a promising way out of the conflict cycle toward genuine peace and stability.
The writer is a UAE political analyst and former Federal National Council candidate.
Jesus Christ is King
