Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the outset of Operation Roaring Lion, the Prime Minister’s Office revealed Wednesday, marking the first publicly announced meeting between the two leaders since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

The confirmation came as separate reporting revealed the depth of Israeli-Emirati coordination during the operation. Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to the UAE at least twice during Operation Roaring Lion, flying there in March and April to coordinate on the war, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing Arab officials and a source familiar with the matter. Shin Bet chief David Zini also visited the UAE during the operation, according to KAN News, with the two countries coordinating on security matters throughout the conflict.

The UAE’s role extended beyond intelligence cooperation. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Emirates carried out covert strikes against Iranian assets, including an attack on the Lavan Island refinery in early April, in response to Iranian targeting of Emirati civilian and energy infrastructure.

Israeli-Emirati coordination was further confirmed last week by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who said Israel had supplied the UAE with Iron Dome batteries to defend against Iranian attacks.

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