UAE hosts "Israeli" Foreign Minister to discuss Gaza ceasefire

On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) received "Israeli" Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and explored efforts to achieve a ceasefire

The Foreign Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza aggression during a meeting with Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Abdullah, who also serves as the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister, was accompanied by Saeed Mubarak Al-Hajeri, the UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, and Mohamed Mahmoud Al-Khaja, the UAE Ambassador to "Israel". Gideon Saar noted on the social media platform X that this was his second meeting with Sheikh Abdullah.

Since the normalization of relations between the UAE and "Israel" in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords, there has been limited bilateral communication following the outbreak of the Gaza aggression on Oct. 7, 2023.

During their discussions, Sheikh Abdullah stressed, "the priority of working towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as well as the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict in the region." He also highlighted the urgent need to advance a serious political horizon for the resumption of negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

Furthermore, Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE's longstanding support for the Palestinian people, emphasizing the country's unwavering commitment to their right to self-determination. He stated, "The importance of ending extremism, rising tensions, and violence in the region" cannot be overstated.

The meeting comes at a time when "Israel" has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, leading to widespread destruction and a rising civilian death toll. According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, over 1,330 individuals have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive last month, with the overall death toll since the conflict began now exceeding 50,695.

Tragically, among the latest casualties in the ongoing aggression are 15 medics from the Red Crescent, whose bodies were recovered a week after they were reportedly killed in an incident perceived as a deliberate targeting of civilians.