CAIRO — UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and former US President Donald Trump discussed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza during a phone call, as reported by Emirati state news agency WAM on Tuesday (March 25). This comes after Israel resumed its military offensive in the enclave last week.

Israel renewed its attacks on Gaza on March 18, ending a fragile two-month ceasefire. Since then, Palestinian health officials report that nearly 700 people, mostly women and children, have been killed. During the call, the Emirati president emphasized the need for humanitarian aid for Gaza residents and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, according to WAM.

In early February, Trump proposed a Gaza plan that involved relocating Palestinians and developing a Middle East "Riviera," a proposal widely condemned by global leaders. Arab nations, including the UAE, instead backed an Egyptian-led reconstruction plan for Gaza, which would cost $53 billion and avoid displacing Palestinians. WAM’s report did not specify whether these plans were discussed in the call.

Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, stated on February 26 that rebuilding Gaza must be linked to a clear roadmap toward a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The UAE is one of the few Arab nations that normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under US-brokered agreements led by Trump.

According to Palestinian health authorities, Israel’s renewed ground and air offensive has resulted in over 50,000 deaths in Gaza. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a cross-border attack, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.