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Netanyahu Visits Abu Dhabi Amid Disputed Hamas Warning Report
An Israeli official said Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Abu Dhabi is in the United Arab Emirates.
The visit happened while there is an argument about an earlier warning concerning Hamas.
Haaretz reported that Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu about a major Hamas operation before October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu says that report is not true.
The UAE has not commented directly on the warning report.
Israel and the UAE have kept communication channels open since 2020.
The UAE previously denied that Netanyahu met Sheikh Mohamed, although a source said they met in Al-Ain in March.
The reason for Sunday's visit was not stated.
An Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The visit follows a Haaretz report that Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu about a planned Hamas operation before October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu denied receiving the warning and threatened legal action against Haaretz.
The UAE has declined to comment on the report while confirming open communication with Israel since 2020.
The UAE and Israel have given differing accounts of an alleged earlier Netanyahu meeting in March.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed are central to the report.
- What
- An Israeli official said Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi, amid a dispute over an alleged pre-October 7 warning about Hamas.
- Where
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; the alleged earlier meeting was reportedly in Al-Ain.
- When
- The reported visit took place on Sunday; the alleged earlier meeting was reported as occurring on March 26.
- Why
- The purpose of Sunday's visit was not stated; the surrounding dispute concerns an alleged warning about a planned Hamas operation.
Netanyahu and UAE Position
Report and Opposition Claims
Whether a warning was delivered
Netanyahu and UAE Position
Netanyahu denies Haaretz’s report that Sheikh Mohamed warned him about a planned Hamas operation before October 7, 2023.
Report and Opposition Claims
Haaretz reported that the warning was delivered; Israeli opposition leaders have linked the broader security failure to Netanyahu’s responsibility.
Whether the leaders met earlier
Netanyahu and UAE Position
The UAE previously denied that Sheikh Mohamed met Netanyahu after Netanyahu’s office said he had secretly visited the country.
Report and Opposition Claims
A source familiar with the matter said Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed met in Al-Ain on March 26.
Level of security discussions
Netanyahu and UAE Position
A UAE source said security matters are discussed through relevant entities rather than at the level of national leaders.
Report and Opposition Claims
The Haaretz report described a direct warning from Sheikh Mohamed to Netanyahu.
Key facts
- Reported visitor
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Reported location
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Alleged warning
- Haaretz reported that Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu about a major Hamas operation before October 7, 2023.
- Netanyahu’s response
- He denied the report and threatened legal action against Haaretz.
- Israel-UAE relations
- The countries established diplomatic relations in 2020 through the Abraham Accords.
- Earlier meeting account
- A UAE denial conflicted with a source’s claim that Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed met in Al-Ain on March 26.
- UAE communication position
- The UAE said Israel and the UAE maintain open and direct communication lines.
Sources
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