UAE Lobbies US to Withdraw from Gaza Ceasefire Talks
By Dark Box Investigations | July 2025
Introduction
While the world watches the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza unfold, powerful Gulf actors are moving silently to prolong the war. Exclusive sources confirm that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively lobbying the United States to abandon its support for ceasefire talks, with high-level Emirati officials coordinating a sophisticated campaign to derail negotiations and cement a post-war regional order hostile to Palestinian resistance.
Names Behind the Operation
The two central figures orchestrating the UAE’s interference are:
- Tahnoun bin Zayed: UAE National Security Advisor and brother to President Mohamed bin Zayed. Tahnoun has been in direct communication with Israeli counterparts, reportedly discussing plans for Emirati-led administration in a demilitarized Gaza.
- Yousef Al Otaiba: UAE’s ambassador to Washington and longtime point-man for Emirati interests in the U.S. capital. Al Otaiba has led meetings on Capitol Hill, framing ceasefire deals as threats to regional stability.
Lobbying Tactics
A multi-pronged strategy has been deployed:
- Classified briefings to U.S. lawmakers claiming Hamas’ ties to Iran.
- Private dinners with congressional aides pushing narratives about “premature ceasefires.”
- Leaked memos proposing an “international governance model” for Gaza that quietly promotes UAE-appointed technocrats and excludes Palestinian grassroots representation.
Undermining Qatar and the Palestinian Cause
The UAE’s effort is not just about halting ceasefire — it’s about reshaping post-war Gaza in its image. By sidelining Qatar-led negotiations, Abu Dhabi aims to marginalize both the Palestinian resistance and the Arab voices advocating for a political solution grounded in justice and sovereignty.
One source close to the negotiations said:
“The UAE doesn’t want peace. It wants control. That’s why it’s doing everything possible to wreck any deal that leaves Palestinians with agency.”
Strategic Alignment with Israel
Behind these moves lies a deeper UAE-Israel convergence. Emirati intelligence services have been sharing surveillance data with Israeli counterparts since 2020. Now, this relationship is being used to draft joint plans for Gaza’s future — plans that exclude Palestinian voices.
Israeli media has hinted at proposals for:
- Emirati “security presence” in post-war Gaza under the guise of reconstruction.
- UAE-led economic zones to replace local institutions.
- Regional forums excluding Hamas and other resistance groups.
Humanitarian Crisis Ignored
All of this unfolds as Gaza’s suffering deepens. According to UNICEF and OCHA:
- Over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed.
- Famine conditions affect hundreds of thousands.
- Ceasefire talks could open corridors for aid — but the UAE’s lobbying obstructs this.
Conclusion
As war rages on, the UAE is not just a bystander. It is an active player — using its wealth, networks, and diplomacy to shape the outcome of one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises.
Dark Box calls on:
- S. lawmakers to investigate UAE lobbying around Gaza policy.
- Ceasefire mediators to expose back-channel interference.
- International bodies to hold UAE accountable for obstructing humanitarian peace.
This is not diplomacy. It’s war by proxy.
