DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a stern warning on Wednesday regarding any potential Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, branding it a "red line." Although the UAE did not clarify the implications of this warning on the normalization agreement established between the two nations, anxious sentiments were evident amid ongoing conflicts.
This warning came as Israel continued its aggressive military operations in Gaza City, facing humanitarian challenges due to a humanitarian crisis. Recent Israeli airstrikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals, according to local hospital sources. Additionally, demonstrations erupted across Israel, protesting the mobilization of 60,000 reserve soldiers, which some citizens believe is politically motivated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than a bid for peace.
Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati diplomat, emphasized through social media that the annexation of the West Bank would significantly weaken the framework of the Abraham Accords, which aimed to promote normalization and regional integration among Middle Eastern countries. Another Emirati official, Lana Nusseibeh, stated that such a move would undermine the established consensus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and jeopardize the vision of two states coexisting peacefully.
The UAE played a pivotal role in the Abraham Accords of 2020, which normalized relations with Israel, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Despite this warning, the potential actions the UAE might take remain uncertain, and no official comment has emerged from the Emirati Foreign Ministry.
Historically, Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians aspire to establish a state on these territories. However, the current Israeli government vehemently opposes Palestinian statehood and supports annexation plans for significant portions of the West Bank. The far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a controversial map suggesting the annexation of most of the West Bank, which includes proposals for limited autonomy for six Palestinian cities.
The announcement of Israeli airstrikes led to high casualties, with 15 lives lost in Gaza City alone, including women and children. Reports indicate that humanitarian crises are intensifying, with further displacement and dire living conditions emerging in the wake of ongoing military actions. Many Palestinians are reluctant to evacuate due to financial constraints, logistical obstacles, and fears about not being able to return home.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that malnutrition is becoming a severe issue, with six fatalities resulting from lack of food in recent days. The organization attributed the dire situation to Israel's military offensive and continuous blockade. During the ongoing conflict, over 63,633 Palestinians have reportedly died as a result of Israeli actions, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty counts.
Amid the violence, another incident unfolded in Jerusalem when Israeli police arrested Tony Sabella, the owner of a popular Palestinian bookshop and café. Critics claim this was part of a broader effort to suppress Palestinian cultural expression, as Israeli authorities confiscated books related to the conflict during the arrest.
In a separate development, Israel's internal security agency, the Shin Bet, reported the arrest of a Hamas cell in the West Bank that allegedly plotted to assassinate Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The suspects, arrested with drone equipment, were reportedly preparing to execute an attack, although details on the extent of the operation remain unclear.
