Officials from 10 countries reportedly took part in an expanded meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during Netanyahu’s visit to Abu Dhabi.
Israel’s Channel 14, citing an unnamed Emirati source, reported that the meeting was held in two stages. The first session involved Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed, followed by an expanded meeting involving representatives from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya and Oman, alongside Israel and the UAE.
The countries named in the report did not immediately comment on the reported discussions.
According to the unnamed source cited by Channel 14, the meeting focused on strengthening security and intelligence cooperation between Israel and the UAE and exploring a regional defence framework to address what participants described as shared threats.
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The report said the discussions also covered Iran and Yemen’s Houthi movement, as well as intelligence and security assistance for Saudi Arabia. Participants reportedly discussed the possibility of establishing a new regional alliance.
Channel 14 further reported that the meeting included discussions about creating an oil transportation route that could bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for global energy shipments.
The UAE’s official WAM news agency confirmed that Sheikh Mohamed received Netanyahu during a visit to the country on Sunday. WAM reported that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop ties between the two countries.
Netanyahu’s office later confirmed that he and his wife had visited the UAE, saying the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and regional challenges.
Netanyahu was accompanied by National Security Council chief Shmuel Ben Ezra, Mossad chief Roman Gofman, Military Secretary Guy Markizano and political adviser Ophir Falk, according to his office.
The reported expanded meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran, Israel and Yemen’s Houthis, as regional governments continue to discuss security arrangements and the protection of trade and energy routes.
Details about the reported participation of officials from the eight additional countries and the substance of their discussions have not been independently confirmed.
