Israel, UAE pilots take part in joint war games

Emirati warplane pilots have taken part in joint military exercises with Israeli counterparts, an Israeli television channel has revealed.

Channel 12 News published a report earlier this week, detailing the war games that recently took place in Greece with participants from several countries.

The exercises took place at Andravida Air Base earlier this month along with pilots from the United States and Italy, according to a translation of the report by The New Arab's Arabic-language service.

The report shows images of Emirati pilots taking part in the event alongside Israeli pilots.

"Who would have believed the day would come when Emirati pilots would train next to Israeli pilots?" says Nir Dvori - the journalist who prepared the report.

Dvori interviews an Israeli general who says that his team has sat down and shook hands with the Emiratis during the exercises.

He attempts to speak with the Emirati pilots, who say they are not allowed to communicate with the media.

The report comes amid recent rapprochement between Israel and several Gulf states that has been fuelled by a deepening rivalry with Iran.

In October, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to Oman and Israeli officials visited the UAE in recent months.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians feel increasingly sidelined, fearing Israel, Gulf states and the US plan to strike a deal behind their backs about the future of war-won lands they seek for a future state.