Netanyahu-MBZ meeting reportedly draws officials from 10 countries

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi has taken on wider regional significance following reports that officials from several countries joined an expanded session.

The two leaders met in Abu Dhabi on Sunday during Netanyahu’s previously unannounced visit to the UAE. The meeting was later confirmed by both sides, with the Emirates News Agency, WAM, saying the discussions focused on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop ties.

According to reports in Israeli media, the meeting was held in two stages. The first session involved Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed in a direct meeting, while a second, expanded session reportedly brought together representatives from several countries.

The reported participants included officials from Israel, the UAE, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya and Oman. However, the reported 10-country gathering has not been publicly confirmed by all of the countries named. Different Israeli media reports have also provided varying accounts of which countries were represented.

The reports have attracted particular attention because of the regional issues said to have been discussed. According to the reports, the expanded talks focused on security and intelligence cooperation, Iran, Yemen’s Houthi movement and possible regional defence arrangements.

One reported area of discussion was the possibility of strengthening regional air-defence coordination against shared threats. Israeli media have also reported discussions about security assistance for Saudi Arabia and broader cooperation between Israel and Gulf states.

Another reported topic was the creation of an alternative route for oil shipments that could reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is a major energy transit route, making any proposal involving alternative shipping corridors particularly significant amid heightened regional tensions.

However, one key element of the reports has been disputed. Saudi Arabia has denied that any Saudi representative attended the expanded Netanyahu-Sheikh Mohamed meeting. A Saudi source told Arab News that reports of Saudi participation were untrue.

The confirmed bilateral meeting itself comes as Israel and the UAE continue to maintain diplomatic relations established under the 2020 Abraham Accords. The UAE has described the latest talks as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and address regional challenges.

The Abu Dhabi meeting also comes amid wider regional tensions involving Iran, the Houthis and Gulf security. With conflicting reports about the participation of other governments, the full details of the expanded discussions remain unclear.

For now, the publicly confirmed element is the Netanyahu-Sheikh Mohamed meeting, while claims about the broader 10-country gathering remain based primarily on media reports and have not been officially acknowledged by all countries named.