A French investigative website has revealed that the United Arab Emirates is the country behind a massive and secret arms deal signed with Israel’s Elbit military industries, a development that has sparked renewed criticism of Arab normalization with the Israeli occupation amid its ongoing war crimes against Palestinians.

According to Intelligence Online, the deal was concluded about a month ago under strict confidentiality. Days earlier, the Hebrew-language economic newspaper Calcalist had disclosed that an unnamed country had signed one of the largest contracts in the history of Israel’s military industries, involving the sale of a highly strategic security system based on advanced and “pioneering” technology.

The deal is reportedly worth approximately $2.3 billion and was signed under the supervision of Israel’s Ministry of Defense. It is expected to span nearly a decade, making it one of Elbit’s most significant long-term contracts, according to SadaNews Economy.

Details of the security system have not been made public, as the purchasing country reportedly imposed strict non-disclosure conditions, warning that revealing information about the system could lead to the cancellation of the agreement. Analysts cited by the report said the secrecy surrounding the deal could have implications for Israel’s claimed “qualitative military edge” in the region in the coming years.

The report noted that Israel is increasingly relying on lucrative foreign arms deals to inject funds into its military-industrial complex, as the Israeli treasury has been severely strained by the costs of nearly two years of regional warfare and aggression, particularly the devastating campaign against Gaza.

Critics say the deal highlights how normalization agreements are being used to financially and militarily sustain Israel’s occupation and war machine, even as Palestinians continue to face mass killing, siege, and destruction. By purchasing advanced Israeli military technology, the UAE is seen by many as directly contributing to Israel’s capacity to maintain repression and violence in the region.

Israel and the UAE formally normalized relations around five years ago under the so-called Abraham Accords, brokered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, Israeli defense companies such as Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries have opened official offices in Abu Dhabi, deepening military and security cooperation despite widespread opposition across the Arab and Muslim world.

Palestinian advocates argue that such deals not only betray the Palestinian cause but also undermine regional justice and stability by rewarding Israel at a time when it faces mounting accusations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. (ILKHA)