UAE Foreign Minister Urges Immediate Gaza Ceasefire in Meeting with Netanyahu – 27 Sept 2025

UAE Foreign Minister Presses for Gaza Ceasefire in High-Level Meeting with Israeli PM

On 27 September 2025, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged an immediate end to the Gaza war.

The rare, high-level encounter took place on the sidelines of the UN session and focused on the escalating Middle East crisis and international mediation efforts. Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that protecting civilian lives and restoring regional stability require an urgent ceasefire. He reaffirmed the UAE’s support for all steps that advance a two-state solution and lasting peace.

Highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UAE minister called for unrestricted delivery of aid to the besieged population and pressed for the release of all hostages and detainees. He stressed that the global community must act collectively to end militant violence and safeguard civilians.

This meeting is significant as it marks the first direct contact between a senior Arab official and Netanyahu since Israel’s 9 September airstrike in Qatar targeting Hamas leadership—an action the UAE strongly condemned, even summoning Israel’s deputy ambassador in protest.

While Netanyahu recently told the UN he intends to continue military operations, Sheikh Abdullah’s initiative injects new momentum into diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and long-term stability.

The UAE foreign minister also warned that any unilateral Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories would be a “red line,” threatening the hard-won normalization achieved under the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Although the UAE normalized relations with Israel five years ago, the ongoing Gaza conflict and mounting civilian casualties have placed unprecedented strain on those ties, making this diplomatic outreach particularly pivotal.