Netanyahu Meets UAE President Amid Tensions Over Hamas Attack Warning

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, as confirmed by both governments on Monday. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and regional challenges, according to an Emirati statement. Netanyahu's office denied claims that he requested the UAE president to deny reports of a warning about an impending Hamas attack prior to the October 7, 2023 incident. Israeli media reported that the meeting was intended to address these claims. Additionally, Israel's domestic security service, Shin Bet, filed a complaint against Channel 12 for reporting on the visit before Netanyahu’s return to Israel, citing a violation of censorship rules. The meeting marks the first official acknowledgment of a meeting between the two leaders, following a previous denial of a trip in May. The UAE, which has diplomatic ties with Israel established through the Abraham Accords in 2020, condemned the Hamas attack as a serious escalation but has also criticized ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza. Despite tensions, Israel has provided military support to the UAE amid regional threats.