Netanyahu's Secret Six-Hour Visit to UAE Revealed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a clandestine six-hour visit to Abu Dhabi, where he met with UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed. The meeting was intended to remain under the radar, with plans for a joint announcement only after Netanyahu's delegation returned to Israel, according to 'HaYom'. However, the early disclosure of the trip, which occurred before the Israeli delegation's departure, altered the situation. The UAE has not yet officially commented on the meeting.

Accompanying Netanyahu were Mossad chief Roman Gofman, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, a senior official from the Shin Bet's VIP protection unit, and other high-ranking officials from the Prime Minister's office. Netanyahu traveled on a private jet previously used for Mossad and Prime Ministerial trips to the UAE.

The meeting with bin Zayed was arranged in recent weeks and was planned to be kept secret until the Israeli delegation's return. A coordinated statement from both countries was slated for release afterward. This visit occurs against the backdrop of a report in 'Haaretz' alleging that bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu about a potential large-scale Hamas attack approximately two weeks before October 7th.