Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has confirmed that he undertook a previously undisclosed visit to the United Arab Emirates in the midst of Israel's military operation against Iran. The revelation was made public in an official statement, which detailed that the trip occurred during the operation codenamed "Roar of the Lion."
Netanyahu Meets UAE President
According to the statement, Netanyahu held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his secret journey to the Gulf nation. Israeli officials characterized the meeting as a significant diplomatic achievement, occurring against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions.
"In the midst of Operation 'Roar of the Lion,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates and met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed," the statement read.
Israel Claims Diplomatic Breakthrough
The Israeli government asserted that the meeting resulted in substantial progress in relations between the two countries. "This visit led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates," the statement added. The disclosure comes at a time of growing uncertainty in the region, following the escalation of hostilities involving Iran and ongoing tensions related to the war in Gaza.
Hamas Reacts to Ceasefire Concerns
In response to the developments, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem criticized comments made by former United Nations envoy Nickolay Mladenov regarding the situation in Gaza. Qassem accused Israel of violating ceasefire understandings and restricting humanitarian aid from entering the territory.
"Mladenov should have identified the party violating the ceasefire agreement and restricting the entry of aid into Gaza," Qassem said in a statement. He further alleged that Israel had continued attacks on civilians while altering security boundaries despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. According to Qassem, Hamas had taken "all the necessary steps" to support the implementation of a proposed peace framework linked to former US President Donald Trump's reported 20-point plan for Gaza.
In a related development, Iran's ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, stated that Iran is prepared to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism. In an interview, the ambassador emphasized Iran's commitment to working with governments facing security threats.
