Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly traveled to Abu Dhabi over the weekend and met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to people briefed on the visit. The meeting comes amid renewed controversy over claims that the Emirati leader warned Netanyahu about a potential Hamas attack before October 7, 2023.
The hourlong meeting reportedly took place on Sunday. According to the Associated Press, people familiar with the trip said Netanyahu sought clarification or a denial of reports that Sheikh Mohamed had warned him about an impending Hamas operation before the October 2023 attack. Netanyahu has previously denied the reported warning.
The UAE’s Foreign Ministry did not directly confirm the meeting but said the country maintains open communication channels with Israel and shares relevant intelligence. Netanyahu’s office also did not immediately comment on the reported visit.
The visit comes as Netanyahu faces continued political and diplomatic pressure over Israel’s military actions and the wider conflicts across the Middle East.
EU Seeks Greater Role in Red Sea Security
Elsewhere, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc is seeking observer status in a Saudi-led maritime defense coalition established to protect the kingdom’s energy exports.
The EU already has six vessels operating in the Red Sea under its ASPIDES mission, which helps protect commercial shipping from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Kallas said the need for additional naval resources has grown as regional conflicts continue to disrupt shipping and energy markets.
Fighting Continues in Yemen
The World Health Organization has reported 164 deaths and 645 injuries from fighting in Yemen between September 19 and September 26. The latest violence has also displaced more than 180,000 people, adding to the country’s already severe humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, Israel has criticized Spain over comments by its youth minister supporting Palestinian statehood, while the Netherlands has expressed regret after Israel announced plans to expel Dutch diplomats from Ramallah.
The developments highlight the continued complexity of Middle East diplomacy, with Israel, Gulf states, European governments and other international actors navigating overlapping security, political and humanitarian crises.
Swifteradio.com
