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Plans for an international stabilisation force authorized by the UN to disarm the militant group in the Gaza Strip are encountering growing resistance after the UAE stated it would not take part due to the lack of a clear legal structure.

Growing International Concerns

Israeli authorities have already ruled out Turkey involvement, and Jordan's King Abdullah has stated that Jordanian forces will not participate. Azerbaijan, once considered as a potential contributor, was absent from a preparatory session 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 in this situation will not participate, but will support all political initiatives towards peace – and stay at the forefront of relief efforts.

Regional Doubts and Juridical Issues

The UAE's announcement, made by diplomatic representative Dr Anwar Gargash at a conference in the UAE capital, reflects regional doubts about the provisions of a US-drafted resolution previously distributed to diplomats at the UN in NYC. The proposal places an onus on a American-led security mission to be the principal means of imposing security in the territory after Israeli forces have withdrawn from the region.

Regional governments would prefer expanded duties to be given to a distinct Palestinian civilian police force. Global jurisprudence would also forbid external forces from entering contested Palestinian territories unless there was explicit Palestinian consent; otherwise, the force could be seen as imposed under UN law, and potentially stabilising an unlawful presence.

Palestinian Viewpoints and Calls for Clarity

A Palestinian American co-author of the Palestinian armistice plan said: “It is essential that the mission be sent not to reinforce the unlawful presence, but to enforce international law and terminate it. The mission will work as long as it enters the whole occupied territory, including the occupied territories, at the invitation of the Palestinian authorities, and has a defined goal to conclude the presence within the framework of a sovereign state of Palestine.”

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

Continuing Discussions and Possible Risks

In-depth talks on the mission mandate, including its leadership structure, began officially on last week in the UN headquarters, and appear to be lengthy – potentially creating the development of a power gap in the strip that may strengthen militant factions.

The US is proposing that it lead the mission although it will not have a large number of troops deployed on the terrain. It has already in effect taken control of the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory from a new logistical hub based in the neighboring country.

Mission Objectives and Governance Role

The proposed US resolution defines the purpose of the stabilisation force as “along with the newly trained and vetted law enforcement to assist in protecting border areas, stabilise the safety situation in Gaza by guaranteeing the procedure of demilitarising the territory including the elimination and blocking of reconstructing the militant and hostile facilities as well as the lasting decommissioning of arms from militant factions”.

The force, reporting to a “peace council” chaired by Donald Trump, and not to the UN, would be mandated to use “all necessary measures” to fulfill its objectives.

Regional powers including Qatari officials are also concerned that this authority is too expansive, and if the group is to lay down arms, the group will only do so to fellow Palestinians, likely in the civilian police force, at a time that, from the militant viewpoint, signifies the conclusion of occupation.

They also worry the draft mandate extends to granting the mission a governance function in the territory, a task that was to be set aside for a local expert panel working in cooperation with a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Aid Aspects and Financial Questions

This “interim authority” in Gaza would stay until “the Palestinian Authority has adequately completed its restructuring plan, the satisfaction of which shall be acceptable to the BoP”, the proposal says. It also “underscores the importance” of full relief in the territory, including through the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Red Crescent.

However, it opens the door the removal of “any organisation determined to have misused such aid”. The phrase permits the council excluding the UN relief agency, the organization that the international court of justice has said is the legal provider of assistance.

International Diplomatic Initiatives

French officials and Saudi Arabia are currently advocating for a reference to a sovereign Palestine to be added in the resolution. The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is scheduled in the White House on the specified date, and Manal Radwan has stated that a reference to a independent Palestine is a requirement.

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

Neither the UN nor the 15 strong UNSC are assigned a oversight role over the stabilisation force, monitoring the execution of the resolution, a aspect mostly ignored by the draft text. No details is specified about the financing of this stabilisation mission, which, according to the US officials, should be mostly borne by Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia taking the lead.

Israeli Demands and Regional Situations

Israeli authorities is seeking written guarantees from the US that it be permitted to follow the pattern of Lebanon and reserve the right to return to the territory if it considers demilitarization is not occurring at a scale or speed it requires.

The request was presented to Jared Kushner, the ex-president's relative, and the American diplomat, Steve Witkoff. Kushner was in the Israeli capital on this week to discuss developments on the ceasefire and the envoy was due to arrive subsequently the same day.

Just the remains of a small number of the initial 251 Israeli hostages remain unreturned.

Separately, Israeli officials has been proposing that the Gaza Strip could still be split in two parts with rebuilding efforts beginning in the Israel occupied areas of the strip. International officials maintain that this is no part of the former US administration's proposal.