Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held additional political meetings during his secret visit to the United Arab Emirates on March 26, beyond his talks with Emirati officials, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported.

The visit, which took place in the city of Al Ain and was shrouded in extreme secrecy, was only officially acknowledged by "Israel" nearly seven weeks later. On May 13, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement confirming that Netanyahu secretly traveled to the UAE at the height of the US-Israeli war on Iran and met with UAE President Mohammad bin Zayed. "Israel" described the visit as a "historic breakthrough" in bilateral relations.

However, new details emerging from Israeli sources indicate that the prime minister's agenda included more than the publicly referenced meeting with MBZ. Sources familiar with the matter said Netanyahu conducted additional political meetings during the same visit, though either side has not disclosed the identities of the participants and the subjects discussed.

Israeli aircraft lands at Zayed Airport in Abu Dhabi

Meanwhile, Israeli media revealed that a government aircraft departed from “Israel” toward the United Arab Emirates and landed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Israeli Kan channel, the aircraft, identified as M-ABGG, is known among flight-tracking observers for occasionally being used to transport Israeli officials and businessmen on undeclared or politically sensitive trips.

Accounts specializing in flight tracking circulated information in recent hours indicating that the aircraft arrived at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, while neither Emirati nor Israeli authorities have issued a statement regarding the nature of the flight or the identity of its passengers.

'Israel' announces visit, UAE denies it 

Netanyahu's visit was originally intended to be jointly disclosed by both governments, including the release of photographs. However, according to Israeli sources, the decision to delay public announcement, for approximately one month, was made due to political sensitivity and the ongoing state of war.

In practice, only "Israel" published an official statement on May 13. The UAE side did not issue a corresponding announcement. Nevertheless, an Israeli source familiar with the details said Abu Dhabi was not angered by "Israel's" unilateral disclosure and sent no messages of displeasure, adding that the step did not damage bilateral relations.

Disclosed, not disclosed

At the time the visit was reported by the Prime Minister's Office, the UAE issued a firm and categorical denial, stating that, "The United Arab Emirates affirms that its relations with Israel are public relations established within the framework of the known and publicly declared Abraham Accords. These relations are not based on secrecy or hidden arrangements."

It further noted, "Therefore, any claim regarding unexpected visits or arrangements is unfounded unless published by the competent official authorities in the UAE. The UAE calls on media outlets to exercise accuracy and avoid publishing undocumented information or using it to create political impressions."

Despite the denial, former Netanyahu spokesman Ziv Agmon, who said he accompanied the prime minister on the visit, wrote on Facebook at the time that the meeting did indeed take place. Agmon described a warm reception, stating that Netanyahu was treated with royal honors by MBZ, who personally drove him from the plane to the palace.

According to Agmon, members of bin Zayed's family and other figures welcomed the Israeli delegation with visible happiness. He added that the issues resolved during the visit would be discussed for generations and called the trip an amazing success.

Source:Websites