UAE, US warn escalating tensions in Gaza undermine Middle East security

In a statement published by WAM, the UAE President and the US Secretary of Defense mentioned the new developments in the Gaza Strip, and affirmed that escalating tensions in the region risk exacerbating violence and instability, undermining security in the Middle East and reducing the possibility of achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed the priority of protecting civilian lives in accordance with international humanitarian law and the need to ensure emergency humanitarian corridors to deliver relief and medical aid to the Gaza Strip, amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions as the Israeli army prepares for a ground offensive in the area.

The UAE leader also stressed the need to strengthen regional and international efforts to find a political solution to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, for the benefit of all people in the region, while helping to maintain regional security and stability.

In a related development, the US on October 21 proposed a draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which calls for the protection of civilians affected by the Hamas-Israel conflict. The draft also emphasizes that Israel has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which stipulates that countries can defend themselves individually or collectively against armed attack and must immediately notify the UNSC of any self-defense actions.

The document also urges countries to comply with international law when responding to attacks, and calls for ensuring the continued and adequate delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip. The draft resolution also calls on countries to prevent the violence in Gaza from spreading to other parts of the region, including by demanding that Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other armed groups immediately cease all attacks.

It is not yet clear whether or when the US plans to put the draft resolution to a vote. To be adopted, a draft resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes from any of the five permanent members of the Security Council: Russia, China, the US, France and the UK.

Earlier the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the country's military is "continuing to prepare for the next phase of war, including ground operations." The Israeli military released images of live-fire exercises, as a large number of tanks and soldiers were massed near the border with the Gaza Strip. Over 300,000 reservists have also been called up.

In the latest development, Israeli aircraft on October 22 attacked the compound below the al-Ansar Muslim mosque in the West Bank, which Hamas is believed to be using to stage attacks. Palestinian doctors said at least one person was killed. It was the second Israeli airstrike in recent days on the West Bank, where violence has increased since Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip launched an attack on Israel on October 7.