Qaboos is still capable of surprise as Israelis are drawn to ‘facilitation’ in Oman

Observers have become accustomed in recent years to using Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said’s public appearances at National Day festivities to assess the Omani leader’s health. This year, 18 November is likely to lead to a reassessment of his condition, four years after Qaboos began treatment for colon cancer in Germany; he only finally returned to Muscat in 2016, after a long period of recuperation. GSN has spoken to a number of senior officials who have had recent contact with the sultan: the consensus seems to be that Qaboos’ health has improved significantly since 2016. He has put on weight, his face is noticeably less gaunt and “the spark has returned to his eyes”, as one observer put it.