Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid made an unannounced one-day trip to Abu Dhabi on 4 July, where he met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Readouts from Lapid’s office and the UAE Foreign Ministry said the talks centred on regional developments, the push for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the urgent return of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas. In a separate media appearance, Lapid urged Arab governments to intensify pressure on the militant group to advance a hostage-release agreement. The visit was criticised by aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told Emirati officials the meetings amounted to “political interference,” highlighting domestic friction over Israel’s diplomatic engagement with Gulf partners.