IDF Chief Held Secret Wartime Talks in UAE

The report adds to a growing series of disclosures pointing to quiet, high-level engagement between Israel and regional partners during the war.

By United with Israel Staff

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir made a covert visit to the United Arab Emirates during the war, where he met with regional counterparts alongside U.S. officials to coordinate defense and offensive scenarios related to Iran, according to Israeli media reports.

Security sources described the trip as part of an unprecedented level of strategic cooperation between Israel and Gulf states, shaped in part by the Abraham Accords. Officials said the visit reflected deeper coordination behind the scenes, including planning for a range of military contingencies tied to the conflict with Iran.

The report adds to a growing series of disclosures pointing to quiet, high-level engagement between Israel and regional partners during the war.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE during Operation Roaring Lion, where he reportedly met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in what Israeli officials described as a “historic breakthrough.”

The United Arab Emirates, however, strongly denied the claims, with its Foreign Ministry stating that it “categorically rejects” reports of any such visit or undisclosed military coordination on its soil. Officials emphasized that ties with Israel are conducted openly under the Abraham Accords and are not based on secret arrangements.

A source cited by i24NEWS said the reports and subsequent leaks angered Emirati officials, warning that disclosures of sensitive contacts have complicated high-level engagement in the past.

“The Emiratis were very angry. This is not the first time a sensitive leak has come out,” the source said, adding that such concerns have previously limited visits by Israeli leaders.

The latest report on Zamir’s trip follows earlier accounts of similar quiet visits by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head David Zini, as Israel and Gulf states reportedly deepened intelligence and operational coordination during the conflict.

Taken together, the reports point to an expanding but highly sensitive network of cooperation, with much of the coordination taking place behind the scenes even as some aspects remain publicly disputed.