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Plans for an international stabilisation force authorized by the United Nations to demilitarize Hamas in the Gaza Strip are encountering growing opposition after the United Arab Emirates stated it would not take part due to the lack of a clear legal structure.

Growing International Reservations

Israeli authorities have previously ruled out Turkish involvement, and the Jordanian King Abdullah has stated that his country's troops will not join. The Azerbaijani government, previously considered as a possible contributor, was absent from a preparatory meeting in Istanbul and indicated it would not take part unless a full ceasefire was in place.

Emirati officials lacks clarity on a clear framework for the stability mission and under such circumstances declines involvement, but backs all political efforts towards resolution – and remain at the forefront of relief efforts.

Regional Skepticism and Juridical Issues

The UAE's decision, made by diplomatic representative Dr Anwar Gargash at a conference in Abu Dhabi, reflects Arab reservations about the provisions of a US-drafted document already circulated to diplomats at the UN in NYC. The draft places an onus on a US-directed stabilisation force to be the primary means of ensuring order in the territory after Israeli forces have left the territory.

Arab states would like expanded duties to be given to a distinct local law enforcement agency. International law would also prohibit external forces from deploying into occupied Palestine unless there was clear local approval; without it, the mission could be viewed as coercive under UN law, and potentially stabilising an unlawful Israeli occupation.

Palestinian Perspectives and Appeals for Definition

A Palestinian American co-author of the ceasefire proposal said: “It is critical that the force be sent not to reinforce the unlawful presence, but to enforce international law and end it. The mission will work as long as it enters the entire occupied territory, including the occupied territories, at the request of Palestine, and has a clear objective to conclude the occupation within the context of a independent state of Palestine.”

There is no reference to the West Bank in the American proposal, or to a sovereign Palestine, or a two-state solution, a outcome that Israeli leadership rejects.

Ongoing Discussions and Possible Dangers

Detailed talks on the stabilisation force mandate, including its command and control, began officially on last week in the UN headquarters, and appear to be lengthy – risking the emergence of a vacuum in Gaza that may strengthen militant factions.

The US is proposing that it command the mission although it will not have many troops deployed on the terrain. It has previously in effect assumed command of the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory from a recently established logistical hub based in Israel.

Force Mandate and Administrative Role

The proposed US resolution defines the purpose of the stabilisation force as “along with the recently prepared and vetted law enforcement to help secure border areas, secure the safety situation in the region by ensuring the process of disarming the territory including the destruction and prevention of reconstructing the military terror and offensive infrastructure as well as the lasting removal of arms from non-state armed groups”.

The mission, reporting to a “peace council” chaired by the former US president, and not to the United Nations, would be required to use “all necessary measures” to fulfill its objectives.

Regional powers including Qatar are also worried that this authority is overly broad, and if the group is to lay down arms, the group will only do so to fellow Palestinians, probably in the local law enforcement, at a moment that, from the militant viewpoint, signifies the conclusion of Israeli presence.

They also worry the proposed authority extends to giving the stabilisation force a administrative role in the territory, a task that was to be reserved for a Palestinian expert panel working in conjunction with a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Aid Aspects and Financial Questions

This “interim authority” in the strip would stay until “the Palestinian Authority has adequately finished its reform program, the satisfaction of which shall be acceptable to the BoP”, the draft states. It also “underscores the importance” of unhindered humanitarian aid in the territory, including through the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Red Crescent.

However, it allows for the exclusion of “any organisation found to have misused such assistance”. The wording permits the board of peace excluding Unrwa, the organization that the international court of justice has ruled is the legal provider of aid.

Global Diplomatic Initiatives

France and Saudi Arabia are already advocating for a mention to a Palestinian state to be added 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 stated that a mention to a Palestinian state is a prerequisite.

The Palestinian Authority leader, Mahmoud Abbas, met the French leader, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris on this week to discuss the PA role.

Not the United Nations nor the 15 strong security council are given a oversight role over the stabilisation force, supervising the implementation of the proposal, a aspect largely ignored by the proposed document. No details is outlined about the funding of this stabilisation mission, which, according to the Americans, should be mostly borne by regional nations, with Saudi Arabia assuming primary responsibility.

Israel's Requests and Local Situations

Israeli authorities is requesting formal assurances from the United States that it be allowed to emulate the pattern of the Lebanese situation and reserve the right to return to the territory if it considers demilitarization is not occurring at a level or speed it requires.

The request was put to the former US advisor, Donald Trump’s relative, and the American diplomat, Steve Witkoff. The advisor was in Jerusalem on this week to discuss progress on the ceasefire and the envoy was due to appear subsequently the same day.

Only the remains of a small number of the initial 251 captives remain not recovered.

Separately, Israel has been proposing that the Gaza Strip could yet be divided in two parts with reconstruction work beginning in the Israel occupied areas of the region. International officials insist that this is not part of the former US administration's proposal.