Graham: Mohammed bin Zayed is the 'key' to reshaping Gaza, and the future requires a Gulf role

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham made controversial statements through Israeli media, in which he affirmed that the Israeli occupation army would not be able to successfully manage the Gaza Strip alone in the long term. Graham explained that changing the existing reality in the Strip requires direct intervention from influential regional powers, specifically mentioning the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for their political weight and economic resources.

Graham considered that building what he called 'the new Gaza' depends primarily on the contribution of Arab countries to reconstruction and administration operations. He stressed the necessity for this stage to include radical changes in the educational system within the Strip, aimed at replacing what he described as 'the culture of hatred' with values of tolerance and coexistence, considering that this cultural transformation is the only guarantee for the stability of the region.

In the context of his vision for a solution, the American senator described the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as a 'tremendous ally' of Israel and a key player in the region. Graham proposed a model that emulates the Emirati development experience to be applied in Gaza, emphasizing that bin Zayed represents the true 'key' to transforming the Strip into a stable and economically prosperous environment away from current ideologies.

Graham revealed details of his recent meeting with the President of the UAE, describing the ninety-minute meeting as very fruitful and addressing regional security and stability issues. The senator strongly defended the Emirati leadership against what he described as false narratives, indicating that coordination between Washington and Abu Dhabi is in advanced stages to confront common challenges in the Middle East.

Regarding the Iranian file, Graham sent a firm message to US President Donald Trump, urging him to move forward with the policy of maximum pressure against Tehran. He warned that any American retreat on this file would represent a strategic catastrophe extending for generations, describing the potential repercussions of any withdrawal or complacency as harsher and worse than the scenario of withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Republican senator predicted that the Iranian nuclear file and the associated escalation would see a swift resolution, suggesting that this issue would be resolved within a few weeks rather than months. Graham believes that the region is currently on the cusp of major transformations, the largest in a thousand years, which requires firmness in dealing with the threats posed by Iran and its proxies in the region to ensure the success of the new arrangements.

Regarding the field situation in Gaza, Graham asserted that the Hamas movement would not accept disarmament through negotiations or voluntarily. He affirmed that Israel is the only party capable of imposing a military reality that leads to disarming Palestinian factions of their combat capabilities, considering this a step preceding any talk of permanent political or civilian administration of the Strip in the post-war phase.

These statements come at a sensitive time when international discussions about the 'day after' the war in Gaza are increasing, amidst ongoing Israeli military operations. Graham's vision reflects a widespread desire in Washington to integrate Arab powers into security and political arrangements that ensure an end to the influence of armed factions and establish a new administrative system consistent with the Israeli and American vision for the region.

Mohammed bin Zayed is a tremendous ally of Israel, and he is the key to making Gaza resemble the UAE in the future.