The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, and the United States have engaged in discussions about participating in a provisional administration for post-war Gaza, according to sources familiar with the matter.

As reported exclusively by Reuters, the talks involve the possibility of the UAE, the United States, and other nations temporarily overseeing Gaza's governance, security and reconstruction following the withdrawal of the Israeli military. This arrangement would remain in place until a reformed Palestinian Authority is prepared to assume control, as confirmed by multiple foreign diplomats and Western officials.

The UAE, a close security ally of the United States and one of the few Arab nations with diplomatic ties to Israel, holds a unique position of influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, according to diplomats and officials. However, after more than a year of conflict, Israel has shown reluctance to articulate its vision for Gaza's future, leaving the international community grappling with the challenge of formulating a feasible plan, the sources said. They requested anonymity as the discussions remain confidential.

Diplomats and officials emphasised that the proposals discussed during the UAE-led talks remain preliminary, lacking detailed frameworks or formal documentation, and have not been officially endorsed by any government.

During these behind-the-scenes discussions, Abu Dhabi has been advocating for a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem as part of an independent Palestinian state, according to the sources. However, this vision faces significant opposition from Israel, which has publicly rejected the idea.

"The UAE will not participate in any plan that fails to include significant reform of the Palestinian Authority, its empowerment, and the establishment of a credible roadmap toward a Palestinian state," a UAE official told Reuters, in response to questions about the discussions.

"These elements - which are currently lacking - are essential for the success of any post-Gaza plan."

The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established three decades ago under the 1993-1995 Oslo Accords, signed by Israel and the Palestinians, granting it limited authority over the West Bank and Gaza. While the PA continues to exercise some governance in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, it lost control of Gaza in 2007 following a brief civil war with Hamas.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that discussions have taken place with several partners, including the UAE, to explore options for governance, security and reconstruction. Various draft proposals, plans, and ideas have been presented during these talks by different partners.

"These have been deliberative discussions that continue, as we seek the best way forward," the spokesperson said, declining to comment further on "private diplomatic conversations".

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the matter, while the Palestinian Authority did not respond to Reuters' inquiries.

As part of the discussions, four diplomats and Western officials revealed that Emirati officials suggested the possible use of private military contractors as a component of a post-war peacekeeping force in Gaza. Other sources confirmed being briefed on what they described as Emirati proposals, which included this controversial idea.

Diplomats and officials cautioned that deploying private military contractors would likely raise significant concerns among Western nations. Such contractors, previously employed by the United States and other governments, have faced serious allegations, including torture, human rights violations, and excessive use of force in conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

An official from the UAE did not respond to questions regarding the potential use of military contractors.

Rebuilding Gaza, including its political institutions, is anticipated to take years and cost tens of billions of dollars, necessitating extensive international support after 15 months of Israel's devastating military campaign.

Despite the UAE’s criticism of Israel's military actions and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel is reportedly keen on involving the oil-rich nation in post-war Gaza, according to two former Israeli officials who requested anonymity.

Both Israel and the UAE share a common opposition to Hamas, a US-designated terrorist organisation responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the war. Abu Dhabi regards Hamas and other Islamist groups as destabilizing forces in the region.

UAE officials have also voiced concerns about the broader impact of the war on Middle Eastern stability and its potential to hinder efforts toward regional integration and economic development.

When asked whether Hamas was aware of the proposals discussed by the UAE, Basem Naim, a senior official of the organisation, told Reuters that Gaza must remain "distinctly Palestinian" and free from "foreign interventions" after the war.

The United States, along with mediators Egypt and Qatar, is actively pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, both sides blamed each other for delays in finalising a ceasefire agreement, which had seemed imminent in late December. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Washington aims to finalise a ceasefire deal within the next two weeks.

Regarding Gaza's future, Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Donald Trump's transition team, noted that the US president-elect, due to take office on January 20, would collaborate closely with Arab and Israeli partners "to ensure that Gaza can one day prosper."

The Gulf state has stated that it would only contribute troops to a post-war multinational mission in Gaza if invited by the Palestinian Authority and with the involvement of the United States.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in its current form governing Gaza, citing longstanding grievances over the PA's school curriculum, which he claims incites hatred toward Israel, as well as its policy of paying salaries to the families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

During closed-door discussions, the UAE has called for the appointment of a new prime minister to lead the PA, which Emirati officials have often criticised as corrupt and ineffective, according to diplomats and officials. However, they did not provide further details on these criticisms.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, who assumed office in March, has pledged to implement reforms within the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has faced financial instability for years as donor states reduced funding until corruption and waste are addressed.

Emirati officials have suggested that former prime minister Salam Fayyad, a US-educated former World Bank official, would be a credible candidate to lead a reformed PA, according to diplomats and officials. Fayyad served as prime minister from 2007 until his resignation in 2013, following a fallout with President Mahmoud Abbas, who remains in office. Reuters was unable to reach Fayyad for comment.