The UAE denied reports overnight that Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the country, despite widespread reports across the region that the meeting did in fact take place.
The denial has drawn attention across the Middle East because throughout the war, the UAE has not hesitated to take positions seen as relatively pragmatic toward Israel and regional security cooperation against Iran.
Analysts note that the public denial may reflect the continuing sensitivity in the Arab world surrounding any appearance of open support for Israel, even among Gulf states that maintain strategic ties with Jerusalem behind the scenes.
The situation has led many to compare the episode to the secret visits by Jordan’s King Hussein to Israel decades ago — meetings that were repeatedly reported, but officially denied for years due to regional political pressure and Arab public opinion.