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Proposals for an international stabilisation force authorized by the United Nations to disarm Hamas in Gaza are encountering increasing resistance after the UAE stated it will not take part due to the absence of a well-defined legal structure.

Increasing Global Concerns

Israel have previously ruled out Turkish participation, and the Jordanian King Abdullah has declared that his country's troops will not join. Azerbaijan, previously mooted as a potential participant, did not attend a preparatory meeting in Istanbul and indicated it would not contribute unless a complete truce was established.

The UAE does not yet see a defined framework for the stability force and under such circumstances will not participate, but backs all political efforts towards resolution – and stay at the forefront of relief efforts.

Arab Skepticism and Legal Concerns

The Emirati announcement, made by diplomatic representative Dr Anwar Gargash at a conference in the UAE capital, reflects regional reservations about the terms of a American-proposed document already circulated to diplomats at the UN in New York. The draft places an onus on a American-led stabilisation force to be the primary means of imposing security in the territory after Israel have withdrawn from the territory.

Arab states would prefer greater duties to be given to a distinct Palestinian law enforcement agency. International law would also forbid foreign troops from deploying into occupied Palestinian territories unless there was clear Palestinian consent; otherwise, the force could be seen as imposed under UN law, and arguably stabilising an illegal presence.

Palestinian Viewpoints and Calls for Definition

A Palestinian American co-author of the ceasefire proposal commented: “It is essential that the mission be sent not to stabilise the unlawful Israeli occupation, but to uphold global standards and terminate it. The force will succeed as long as it enters the entire disputed land, including the occupied territories, at the request of the Palestinian authorities, and has a defined goal to end the presence within the framework of a independent state of Palestine.”

There is no reference to the occupied territories in the American proposal, or to a Palestinian state, or a two-state solution, a prospect that Israeli leadership opposes.

Ongoing Discussions and Potential Dangers

Detailed negotiations on the mission mandate, including its command and control, began officially on last week in New York, and look likely to be protracted – risking the development of a power gap in Gaza that may strengthen Hamas.

The US is proposing that it lead the force although it will not have many personnel deployed on the ground. It has already in effect taken control of the distribution of relief supplies into the territory from a new logistical hub based in the neighboring country.

Mission Objectives and Governance Role

The draft US resolution outlines the aim of the stabilisation force as “along with the recently prepared and screened law enforcement to assist in protecting frontier zones, secure the safety situation in Gaza by ensuring the procedure of disarming the Gaza Strip including the destruction and blocking of rebuilding the militant and hostile facilities as well as the lasting decommissioning of arms from militant factions”.

The mission, reporting to a “peace council” led by Donald Trump, and not to the United Nations, would be mandated to use “all necessary measures” to achieve its goals.

Regional powers including Qatari officials are also concerned that this authority is overly broad, and if Hamas is to lay down arms, the group will only do so to local counterparts, likely in the civilian police force, at a moment that, from the militant viewpoint, signifies the end of Israeli presence.

They also fear the proposed authority spills into granting the mission a administrative function in Gaza, a responsibility that was to be reserved for a Palestinian expert panel working in conjunction with a reformed local government.

Aid Considerations and Financial Issues

This “transitional governance administration” in the strip would remain until “the Palestinian Authority has adequately completed its reform program, the satisfaction of which shall be acceptable to the board of peace”, the proposal says. It also “emphasizes the significance” of full humanitarian aid in Gaza, including through the UN, the ICRC, and the Red Crescent.

Nonetheless, it allows for the removal of “any organisation determined to have improperly used such aid”. The wording leaves open the board of peace excluding Unrwa, the body that the global judicial body has ruled is the legal provider of aid.

Global Political Efforts

France and Saudi Arabia are currently pressing for a mention to a Palestinian state to be included in the resolution. The Saudi leader, Mohammed bin Salman, is scheduled in the US presidential residence on the specified date, and a Saudi foreign ministry official has said that a mention to a independent Palestine is a prerequisite.

The Palestinian Authority leader, Mahmoud Abbas, held talks with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in the French capital on this week to discuss the authority's function.

Not the United Nations nor the 15 strong UNSC are given a oversight role over the mission, supervising the execution of the resolution, a point largely overlooked by the proposed document. No details is outlined about the financing of this stabilisation mission, which, according to the US officials, should be largely covered by Gulf states, with the Kingdom taking the lead.

Israel's Requests and Local Situations

Israel is seeking formal assurances from the United States that it be allowed to emulate the pattern of Lebanon and retain the right to re-enter the territory if it considers demilitarization is not occurring at a level or speed it requires.

The Israeli proposal was presented to Jared Kushner, the ex-president's relative, and the American diplomat, Steve Witkoff. The advisor was in the Israeli capital on this week to discuss developments on the truce and Witkoff was scheduled to appear later the that day.

Just the bodies of a small number of the original 251 Israeli hostages are still unreturned.

Independently, Israel has been proposing that the Gaza Strip could yet be divided in two parts with reconstruction work starting in the Israeli-controlled parts of the region. International officials insist that this is not part of the Trump plan.