Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Sep 28: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Israeli media and a senior Israeli official reported.

Israeli television channels 12 and KAN, along with Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post, reported that Netanyahu made a one-day trip to Abu Dhabi. A senior Israeli official also confirmed to Reuters that Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi and met Sheikh Mohamed. The Israeli prime minister's office and the UAE's Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on the reported meeting.

The reported visit comes as the Middle East remains affected by the Israel-US war against Iran that began in February. The UAE has maintained relations with both Israel and the United States while facing security concerns linked to the regional conflict.

The visit also comes amid renewed controversy over reports that Sheikh Mohamed had warned Netanyahu before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that the Palestinian group was planning a major operation. Haaretz reported earlier this month that the Emirati president had conveyed the warning to Netanyahu, who allegedly did not pass it on to Israeli security agencies. Netanyahu has denied the report, while the UAE has not publicly confirmed the reported conversation.

The UAE has previously said that its relations with Israel include direct lines of communication established after the two countries normalised ties in 2020. The two countries formally established diplomatic relations under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, opening the way for cooperation in areas including trade, investment and security.