The international community is struggling to formulate a plan for Gaza after more than a year of war, with diplomats citing a lack of detail from recent talks between Israel and the UAE. The UAE is advocating for a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under an independent Palestinian state, which Israel has publicly opposed. The PA was established in 1993-1995 but was run out of Gaza by Hamas after a civil war in 2007. The US State Department has been discussing options for governance, security, and reconstruction with partners including the UAE, but declined to comment on private diplomatic conversations. Some diplomats have suggested that Emirati officials proposed using private military contractors as part of a post-war peacekeeping force in Gaza, which would likely spark concerns among Western nations due to past allegations of human rights abuses.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1961286/uae-discusses-post-war-gaza-government-with-us-and-israelUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for a ceasefire deal to be concluded within two weeks. Meanwhile, the UAE has expressed interest in sending troops to Gaza as part of a post-war multinational mission, but only if invited by the Palestinian Authority and with US involvement. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the current form of the Palestinian Authority, citing concerns over its school syllabus and payment of salaries to families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. The UAE has suggested that a new prime minister be appointed to lead the Palestinian Authority, potentially someone like former prime minister Salam Fayyad, who served from 2007-2013 but resigned after falling out with President Mahmoud Abbas.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-uae-may-take-over-gaza-administration-after-israeli-withdrawal-report-13850794.htmlThe Palestine Poster Project is an art form that aims to fact-check distorted history, but the article does not provide further information about this project. Meanwhile, a ceasefire deal in Gaza remains "very close" according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, activists have criticized the US role in the Gaza conflict, likening it to genocide. In related news, Blinken has also flagged the situation in Sudan as a potential genocide. A Trump envoy has expressed optimism about progress in talks to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, calling it "really great". The Palestinian Authority has condemned settler violence and Israeli threats against cities in the West Bank. Technical meetings are ongoing between mediators and parties involved in the Gaza conflict, facilitated by Qatar.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/israel-wants-to-turn-occupied-west-bank-into-rubble-like-gaza-haaretz-18251592The US Department of Defense plans to provide $15 million to Lebanon's Internal Security Forces to rebuild police stations and improve their capabilities. The funds will also be used to purchase vehicles and enhance radio communications, with the goal of making them the primary law enforcement entity in the country. Additionally, the department will allocate $3.06 million to support Palestinian Authority police operations in the West Bank and $2.5 million to Jordan's Public Security Directorate for its response to public demonstrations.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2025/01/07/us-shifts-over-100m-in-military-aid-from-israel-egypt-to-lebanon/Turkey's foreign policy has achieved significant success in the past year, with notable accomplishments including its efforts to promote stability and development in countries such as Syria and Ethiopia. However, other news from the region is more negative, with reports of ongoing conflict and violence. The Palestinian Authority has suspended Al Jazeera broadcasts, while Israel has been accused of violating a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon by hovering a drone over the country. Additionally, there have been reports of significant loss of life in Gaza, including nearly 1,100 Palestinian babies who have died due to the effects of war.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/syrias-foreign-minister-makes-first-visit-abroad-to-saudi-arabia-18249569