In a pivotal meeting amid soaring regional tensions, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi convened in Abu Dhabi on Monday, underscoring the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The leaders firmly endorsed the two-state solution as the sole pathway to lasting peace in the Middle East.
According to UAE’s official news agency WAM, the discussions highlighted the imperative for immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza’s civilians without impediments. Both presidents warned against further military escalations, cautioning that a broader conflict would have devastating repercussions across the region.
‘Regional stability hinges on upholding unity and territorial integrity among Middle Eastern nations,’ their joint stance emphasized. They reaffirmed commitment to peaceful resolutions for the multifaceted crises plaguing the area.
Beyond Gaza, the summit delved into bolstering economic ties between the UAE and Egypt. Sheikh Mohamed personally guided President el-Sissi through the Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, a cornerstone of the UAE’s vision to emerge as a global tech hub.
The UAE has long been a vital investor in Egypt’s economy. Just last year, it announced a landmark $35 billion deal to develop a vast portion of Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, injecting much-needed foreign currency and stabilizing the Egyptian pound.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged the swift deployment of an international stabilization force to monitor the Gaza truce during a call with his Greek counterpart on Sunday. He pushed for advancing the second phase of a US-proposed peace plan, backed by the UN Security Council last November, which includes such a force.
Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt’s backing for the newly formed Palestinian Technical National Committee, tasked with managing daily administration and humanitarian needs in Gaza as a bridge to full Palestinian Authority control. Formed in mid-January, this body aims to pave the way for reconstruction.
The current ceasefire, in place since October 10, has prioritized prisoner exchanges and aid delivery. The next phase envisions complete Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and the onset of transitional governance leading to rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure.
This high-level dialogue signals a united Arab front pushing for de-escalation and economic resilience in turbulent times.