Paris- AIJES

The United Arab Emirates set three main conditions before any meeting between its foreign minister and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to diplomatic sources, the conditions were:

1. Acceptance of Trump’s plan to halt the war on Gaza.
2.  Suspension of plans to annex the West Bank.
3. Allowing unrestricted flow of Emirati humanitarian and relief aid into Gaza.

Although the encounter amounted to nothing more than a brief handshake, its symbolism carried deeper weight. The gesture was directly linked to the Palestinian cause and the suffering of Gaza’s population, underscoring how humanitarian and relief efforts have become an integral tool of political leverage.

“The Gallant Knight” Diplomacy

Alongside this political track, the UAE has intensified its relief operations through the “Gallant Knight” campaign, which has become a central feature of Gaza’s humanitarian landscape.

• Since its launch, the campaign has established air and land corridors to deliver food and medical supplies.

• It has prioritized urgent support for hospitals, alongside essential food aid for besieged families.

• The campaign has also extended to programs supporting children and the wounded, in addition to evacuating critical cases for treatment in UAE hospitals.

These efforts reflect what can be described as “humanitarian diplomacy,” whereby the UAE seeks to translate its political positions on the Palestinian issue into tangible initiatives that ease the crisis for civilians on the ground.

Reading the Scene

Observers note that the UAE’s conditions for even a symbolic handshake with Netanyahu reveal a dual-track strategy:

• Political pressure aimed at preventing Israel from advancing annexation policies and imposing new realities.

 • Humanitarian engagement through expanded relief operations, reinforcing the UAE’s image as an active mediator and a key player in protecting civilians.

Between the symbolic handshake on the diplomatic stage and the ongoing relief corridors of the “Gallant Knight” campaign, the UAE is attempting to chart a course that balances political leverage with humanitarian responsibility. The handshake with Netanyahu was not mere protocol it was laden with clear messages: no meeting without conditions, and no politics divorced from the imperative of saving Gaza.