In a surprising but positive development, UAE and Israel, the two arch enemies, have reportedly buried the hatchet and struck a deal to normalise relations between them.
The deal was agreed between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan. Until now, Israel didn't have diplomatic relations with any Gulf country.
As part of the deal, Israel has agreed to suspend its highly controversial plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
Brokered by the US President Donald Trump, the agreement is only third such peace deal signed between Israel and any Arab nation. The two previous deals were signed by Israel with Egypt and Jordan.
Trump, in a statement, called the deal between "two of the US's greatest friends historic". A BBC report quoted POTUS as saying to the reporters, "Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates."
However, Palestinian leaders have reportedly taken umbrage over the deal, which as per them doesn't help the Palestinian cause.
