Netanyahu meets UAE president in Abu Dhabi amid regional challenges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unannounced visit to Abu Dhabi drew attention not only to bilateral ties but also to reports concerning events ahead of the Hamas attack. Both sides confirmed the meeting, while details of the talks have been described differently in official and media reports.

Netanyahu traveled to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Netanyahu’s office said the visit took place at the invitation of the UAE president.

The Israeli side said the talks focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and addressing regional challenges. Netanyahu was accompanied by the head of Israel’s National Security Council, the Mossad chief, his military secretary and foreign policy adviser.

The UAE’s state-run WAM news agency also confirmed the meeting, saying the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen ties. At the same time, Israeli media, citing sources familiar with the meeting, reported that Netanyahu asked the UAE president to publicly deny reports that he had warned the Israeli prime minister about an impending major Hamas operation shortly before the 2023 attack.

Netanyahu’s office dismissed the reports as “fake news,” saying the visit focused exclusively on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges. Netanyahu has previously denied receiving such a warning.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu traveled to Abu Dhabi on a private plane and spent several hours in the UAE before returning to Israel the same day. As reported by CCTV+, both sides confirmed Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE, while officially describing the talks as focused on bilateral relations and regional issues.