Hebrew Media Discloses UAE’s Recent Shipment of 5,000 Shells to Israel
Hebrew Media Reports UAE Sent 5,000 Shells to Israel Amid Gaza War and Boycott Campaigns
Hebrew media sources have revealed that the UAE recently delivered 5,000 shells to Israel. The transfer comes as Tel Aviv continues its protracted war on the Gaza Strip, which has lasted 14 months and drawn mounting international criticism, including boycotts targeting military exports to Israel.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth military correspondent Yoav Zeitoun, the weapons were sent by a “Middle Eastern” country that required the shipment to be transported via land rather than by sea. Although Zeitoun did not explicitly name the country, Hebrew media outlets widely identified the UAE as the source, citing its close alliance with Israel and its support for efforts to suppress Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
Zeitoun revealed that the shipment included 5,000 units of specialized ammunition. The sender imposed a strict condition: the weapons must be transported by land routes, avoiding maritime ports entirely. This requirement resulted in a complex logistical operation, with the shipment taking longer and more circuitous routes to reach its destination.
Additionally, Zeitoun noted that rising air transport costs, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, have further complicated arms logistics. Transporting weapons by air has become significantly more expensive, with costs per kilogram soaring from $4-$5 pre-conflict to $16-$17 now.
The UAE’s reported involvement underscores its leading role in normalizing relations with Israel. A recent analytical study ranked the UAE as the top country for normalization with Israel, engaging in collaboration across economic, political, cultural, and tourism sectors.
These developments highlight the deepening ties between the UAE and Israel amid a backdrop of regional conflict and heightened international scrutiny.
Study Highlights UAE’s Leading Role in Arab Normalization with Israel
A recent study by the Advisory Center for Studies and Documentation has revealed that the UAE tops the Arab world in normalization activities with Israel, surpassing other countries in various fields such as economic, political, and cultural cooperation. The study analyzed normalization trends among Arab countries that have formalized relations with Israel, as well as those that maintain unofficial ties.
The UAE demonstrated the highest level of engagement, particularly in economic and commercial normalization, recording 56 activities, followed by political (24 cases) and diplomatic relations (18 cases). Bahrain and Morocco ranked second and third, with Bahrain excelling in economic (22 cases) and diplomatic normalization (14 cases), while Morocco’s most active areas were diplomatic (10 cases), political (5 cases), and economic relations (4 cases).
Saudi Arabia emerged as the leader among Arab nations without official diplomatic ties to Israel, reflecting significant normalization cases despite the lack of public agreements.
The study categorized normalization activities into eight sections: economic and commercial, diplomatic, security and military, political, tourism, cultural and educational, sports, and scientific and technological collaborations. Egypt and Jordan, with longstanding peace agreements, ranked fourth and fifth respectively. Egypt was noted for six cases of diplomatic normalization, while Jordan exhibited limited but notable activities across economic, security, and diplomatic fields.
The normalization index focused on visible and quantifiable activities such as official visits, phone calls, and joint initiatives. However, it excluded ongoing, less-publicized interactions like routine embassy operations or day-to-day commercial exchanges.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, now surpassing a year, has raised safety concerns for airlines operating in the region. While many carriers have suspended flights to Israel due to security risks, Emirati airlines continue operations, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to its partnership with Israel despite escalating tensions.
This study underscores the evolving landscape of Arab-Israeli relations, with normalization becoming a prominent trend reshaping regional dynamics.
The Associated Press reported that global airlines have increasingly avoided flights to Israel, with the exception of Emirati carriers such as “Flydubai” and “Etihad.”
The agency explained that a year of conflict in Gaza and Lebanon has had a visible impact on Ben Gurion International Airport, where international airlines have canceled flights, leaving gates empty. Images of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas are shown to the few travelers arriving, who make their way toward the baggage claim area.
Nevertheless, one check-in counter remains crowded with passengers heading to the UAE, which has maintained a bridge to Israel, allowing its connection to the outside world throughout the conflict.
Beyond strengthening the financial standing of these airlines, these flights also highlight the enduring relationship between the UAE and Israel. This bond has weathered the ongoing regional wars and is expected to deepen further, especially with the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
