The United Arab Emirates has developed preliminary blueprints to construct a temporary housing complex for Palestinians within the Israeli-militarily occupied sector of Gaza, according to a Reuters report. This initiative positions the wealthy Gulf state in opposition to regional powers and Palestinian factions who perceive such moves as facilitating the de facto partition of the territory.
The proposed ‘UAE Temporary Emirates Housing Complex’ is mapped for an area adjacent to Rafah, near Gaza’s sealed border with Egypt. While still in early planning stages, the proposal carries significant geopolitical implications, potentially straining the UAE’s relations with Egypt, which formally opposes any partition of Gaza. Furthermore, regional heavyweights Qatar and Saudi Arabia remain skeptical about funding reconstruction efforts while the threat of permanent Israeli occupation persists.
This development signals a notable divergence between the UAE’s public diplomacy and its operational stance. Despite official statements from Abu Dhabi denying involvement in Gaza’s civilian administration and rejecting participation in peacekeeping forces, these plans suggest a deeper comfort with the current Israeli-controlled status quo than previously indicated.
The initiative is reportedly being coordinated with the Trump administration and its ‘Board of Peace,’ with former UN official Nickolay Mladenov—now employed by the UAE—serving as a key liaison. The proposal emerges alongside discussions about developing Gaza’s offshore gas reserves and contrasts with Jared Kushner’s recent remarks at Davos downplaying partition concepts in favor of unified development plans.
As Israel maintains a strict blockade and controls humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing, these housing plans underscore the UAE’s emerging role as Israel’s preferred partner in navigating Gaza’s complex post-conflict landscape, even as ceasefire violations continue and Hamas refuses disarmament without full Israeli withdrawal.