The United Arab Emirates has called on global leaders to focus on civilian protection and work toward de-escalation amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.
Senior Emirati diplomat Anwar Gargash spoke on Monday at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, highlighting the need for a "steady hand" to address the complexities of the region.
Gargash emphasized that recent escalations, particularly between Israel and Iran, should not be accepted permanently. He urged for a "serious political horizon" to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, citing the two-state solution as essential for lasting peace.
Gargash described the violence affecting civilians in Gaza as "criminal and unacceptable" while also criticizing both Palestinian and Lebanese governance, calling for significant reform.
The UAE has maintained diplomatic ties with Israel since the 2020 agreement between the two countries, while also providing aid to Gaza and Lebanon.
Yemen's Houthi Rebels Target Israel
The UAE's diplomatic calls came amid further escalation of Middle East tensions, with Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday claiming responsibility for launching a missile targeting Israel.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced the launch of a "Palestine-2 hypersonic" missile aimed at an Israeli military base, which if confirmed would mark an extension of the Houthis' involvement in the regional conflict.
The Israeli military stated it did intercept a projectile approaching from the direction of Yemen, though no affect on Israeli territory was reported.
The Houthis have frequently launched missiles through the Red Sea, adding complexity to the conflict landscape.
The rebels also claimed that U.S. airstrikes targeted sites within Yemen early Monday, though American officials have not confirmed the strikes.
Israeli Strike Closes Key Syrian Highway
In Syria, an Israeli airstrike on Monday hit an aid convoy and forced the closure of the M5 highway, a vital north-south route linking Damascus and Aleppo.
Syrian state media reported the strike near Shamsin, close to the Lebanese border, where refugees often gather. While no casualties were confirmed, the attack represents Israel's continued efforts to curb arms shipments to Hezbollah and limit Iranian influence in Syria.
Another recent Israeli strike in Sayyida Zeinab reportedly targeted Hezbollah, killing seven civilians, according to the Syrian Defense Ministry.
Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria over the years, rarely acknowledging them publicly. However, Israeli officials assert that these actions aim to prevent Hezbollah's rearmament and Iran's entrenchment near Israel's borders.
Intensified Conflict in Gaza
On Sunday, a deadly Israeli strike on a tent sheltering a family in Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp killed three civilians and injured 24 others.
Palestinian health officials reported that two children, treated for serious injuries at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, survived the strike, which underscores the high civilian toll in Gaza amid intensified warfare.
The Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 250 hostages.
Israel's subsequent military response in Gaza has resulted in over 43,000 deaths, according to Palestinian health officials, who report that over half the casualties are women and children, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants.
Following this, Hezbollah began firing into Israel on Oct. 8 in solidarity with Hamas.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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