The UAE and Israel established direct telephone serves on 16 August, a few days after both countries agreed to normalise relations.

It is understood telecoms providers in the UAE – Etisalat and Du – had unblocked calls to numbers with Israel's +972 country code.

The foreign ministers of both countries spoke by phone to inaugurate the newly opened lines.

Israel’s Gabi Ashkenazi said he and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed agreed during the call “to meet soon”, according to a Reuters report.

On 13 August 2020, Abu Dhabi announced the normalisation of relations with Israel in return for Tel Aviv suspending declarations of sovereignty over Palestinian areas outlined in US President Donald Trump’s Vision for Peace presented in January this year.

This means Israel is officially recognised as a sovereign state by the UAE.

The agreement was announced after talks between Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Region reacts to UAE normalising Israel relations

Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman, have expressed support for the UAE’s decision, citing that it will help advance peace and stability in the region.

Palestinians, Kuwait and Iran opposed the deal.

The UAE is the third Arab country to sign a treaty with Israel. The other two are Egypt and Jordan.