Secret Meetings: Israeli Generals in UAE During Iran Conflict

Israel's defense establishment operated in the shadows during its clash with Iran, with Army Chief Eyal Zamir and senior commanders sneaking into the UAE for hushed talks. Kan TV, the state broadcaster, broke the story Friday, highlighting unprecedented wartime outreach. The high-stakes visits involved direct engagement with UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and key security personnel. Timed within the February 28 to April 8 war window, these meetings remained under wraps until now. Netanyahu's office confirmed his own covert UAE trip, denied vehemently by UAE officials. Mossad's David Barnea and Shin Bet's David Gini had preceded them with similar missions, per earlier leaks. Such moves reflect the robust Israel-UAE partnership post-Abraham Accords. Bilateral cooperation spans commerce, innovation, travel, and intel exchanges, fortifying both amid volatile Middle East dynamics. Observers speculate agendas included threat assessments, stability pacts, investment deals, and navigating West Asian power shifts. In Jerusalem's corridors, this is viewed as a masterstroke in Netanyahu's foreign policy playbook, potentially reshaping alliances.