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Proposals for an international stabilisation force mandated by the United Nations to demilitarize the militant group in Gaza are encountering growing resistance after the UAE announced it would not take part due to the absence of a well-defined legal structure.

Increasing Global Reservations

Israeli authorities have previously ruled out Turkey participation, and the Jordanian King Abdullah has declared that Jordanian troops will not participate. Azerbaijan, once considered as a possible contributor, was absent from a preparatory meeting in Turkey and indicated it would not take part unless a full truce was established.

The UAE lacks clarity on a clear framework for the stabilisation force and under such circumstances declines involvement, but backs all diplomatic efforts towards peace – and stay at the forefront of humanitarian aid.

Regional Skepticism and Legal Concerns

The Emirati announcement, delivered by diplomatic representative Dr Anwar Gargash at a conference in the UAE capital, reflects regional doubts about the terms of a American-proposed document previously circulated to diplomats at the UN in NYC. The draft places an onus on a American-led security mission to be the primary means of imposing security in Gaza after Israel have left the territory.

Arab states would prefer greater duties to be assigned to a separate local law enforcement agency. International law would also forbid foreign troops from deploying into contested Palestinian territories unless there was explicit local approval; otherwise, the mission could be viewed as imposed under UN law, and potentially stabilising an unlawful Israeli occupation.

Palestinian Perspectives and Appeals for Definition

A Palestinian American co-author of the Palestinian armistice plan said: “It is critical that the mission be deployed not to stabilise the illegal presence, but to enforce global standards and terminate it. The mission will work as long as it operates in the whole disputed land, including the West Bank, at the request of Palestine, and has a defined goal to conclude the presence within the context of a independent Palestinian state.”

There is no reference to the West Bank in the US draft resolution, or to a sovereign Palestine, or a two-state solution, a outcome that Israel opposes.

Ongoing Negotiations and Possible Risks

In-depth negotiations on the stabilisation force authority, including its leadership structure, started officially on last week in New York, and look likely to be lengthy – risking the development of a vacuum in Gaza that may strengthen Hamas.

The US is proposing that it command the force although it will not have many troops deployed on the ground. It has already in effect assumed command of the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory from a recently established logistical hub based in the neighboring country.

Force Objectives and Administrative Function

The proposed American document outlines the purpose of the security mission as “along with the newly trained and screened law enforcement to assist in protecting frontier zones, stabilise the safety situation in Gaza by ensuring the process of demilitarising the Gaza Strip including the elimination and prevention of rebuilding the military terror and offensive infrastructure as well as the permanent decommissioning of arms from non-state armed groups”.

The force, reporting to a “board of peace” chaired by the former US president, and not to the UN, would be required to use “any required actions” to fulfill its goals.

Arab states including Qatar are also concerned that this mandate is overly broad, and if Hamas is to disarm, the faction will only do so to fellow Palestinians, likely in the local law enforcement, at a moment that, from the Hamas viewpoint, signifies the end of Israeli presence.

They also fear the proposed authority spills into giving the stabilisation force a administrative function in the territory, a task that was to be set aside for a Palestinian technocratic committee working in conjunction with a reformed local government.

Humanitarian Considerations and Funding Questions

This “interim authority” in Gaza would remain until “the local government has adequately completed its restructuring plan, the approval of which shall be approved to the BoP”, the proposal says. It also “underscores the significance” of full humanitarian aid in Gaza, including through the United Nations, the ICRC, and the Red Crescent.

Nonetheless, it opens the door the removal of “any organisation determined to have improperly used such assistance”. The wording leaves open the board of peace excluding the UN relief agency, the body that the international court of justice has said is the lawful provider of assistance.

Global Diplomatic Efforts

France and Saudi representatives are currently advocating for a reference to a sovereign Palestine to be included in the document. The Saudi leader, Mohammed bin Salman, is due in the White House on the specified date, and Manal Radwan has stated that a reference to a Palestinian state is a requirement.

The Palestinian Authority leader, Mahmoud Abbas, held talks with the French leader, Emmanuel Macron, in the French capital on this week to review the PA role.

Neither the United Nations nor the 15 strong security council are assigned a supervisory role over the mission, monitoring the implementation of the proposal, a aspect mostly overlooked by the draft text. No details is outlined about the financing of this stabilisation mission, which, according to the US officials, should be largely borne by Gulf states, with the Kingdom assuming primary responsibility.

Israeli Requests and Regional Developments

Israeli authorities is seeking formal assurances from the United States that it be permitted to emulate the model of Lebanon and retain the authority to re-enter Gaza if it considers demilitarization is not taking place at a scale or pace it demands.

The request was presented to the former US advisor, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Kushner was in Jerusalem on Monday to review developments on the ceasefire and the envoy was scheduled to arrive subsequently the that day.

Only the remains of four of the original 251 captives are still unreturned.

Separately, Israeli officials has been suggesting that the Gaza Strip could still be split in two with reconstruction work starting in the Israeli-controlled parts of the strip. Western diplomats maintain that this is no part of the Trump plan.