The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a stern warning to Israel, threatening to close the land bridge to Tel Aviv via the UAE if immediate humanitarian aid is not allowed to reach the besieged Gaza Strip. The Emirates' demand for urgent aid to Gaza comes amidst escalating tensions in the region. Gulf News reported this development.

The Emirates conveyed this ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, in line with previous denials, dismissed the claim. However, the UAE remains steadfast in its stance, asserting that failure to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza will result in the closure of the land route to Tel Aviv via the UAE.

According to a special report by the Israeli website i24News, the Emirates presented Netanyahu with a choice between facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza or facing the shutdown of the vital land bridge established just last December.

The UAE's pressure on the United States to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza has been significant, prompting President Joe Biden to announce plans for the construction of a temporary naval port to expedite aid shipments to the region.

The establishment of the new route through the Emirates to Tel Aviv in December, mutually agreed upon by both nations, was aimed at circumventing potential attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. However, the current situation underscores the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgency for aid delivery to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants.