Wire

Sign in to baba News

One account across the web, iPhone and Android — your subscription follows it.

or use an email code

Search stories

Type at least two characters. Results come from every newsroom baba reads.

↑↓ to move · ↵ to open · esc to close

Sign in to baba News

Sign in to keep asking. News Plus removes the daily limit.

or use an email code

NEWSru IsraelSecurity

UAE Warned Netanyahu of Hamas 'Earthquake' Days Before Oct. 7, Report Claims

Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba

CommunityCharged tone

Russian · 32 newsrooms covering

An Israeli newspaper report claims the UAE president warned Prime Minister Netanyahu about Hamas preparing a major attack ten days before October 7, a warning Netanyahu allegedly dismissed as a regional escalation. The Prime Minister's office denies the report.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

  • UAE President warned Netanyahu of Hamas plot before Oct. 7, report says.
  • Netanyahu reportedly believed threat was regional, not a major attack.
  • Egypt also sent a similar warning, according to the investigation.
  • Prime Minister's office denies receiving the UAE warning.
  • Early mediation efforts for hostage release were also discussed.
UAE Warned Netanyahu of Hamas 'Earthquake' Days Before Oct. 7, Report Claims
Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Approximately ten days before the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warning from UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar preparing a "significant event," according to an investigation by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval for their book "Hostages: 843 Days of Inaction." The report, published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on September 8, states that Sinwar conveyed a message about preparing an "earthquake" through an intermediary, leading to a lengthy phone call between bin Zayed and Netanyahu.

Netanyahu reportedly believed the threat pertained to escalation in Judea and Samaria and did not relay the warning to the Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, head of the Shin Bet, or the Mossad director. Around the same period, a similar signal was allegedly received from Egypt, with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamal reportedly warning the Prime Minister's office. The response, however, indicated that Israel controlled the Gaza Strip and its primary concerns were in Judea and Samaria.

The investigation also touches on early mediation efforts post-October 7. It claims that on the evening of the attack, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani contacted Mossad Director David Barnea, stating Hamas was willing to discuss the release of civilian hostages with Qatari mediation. Barnea allegedly responded that Israel was not prepared to negotiate with Hamas at that time.

The Prime Minister's office has denied the authors' claims, stating Netanyahu did not receive such a warning from the UAE president. Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar also stated they were unaware of any such warning.

NEWSru IsraelOther · Tel Aviv

Sign in to baba News

Sign in to follow newsrooms, topics and people.

or use an email code

Sign in to baba News

Sign in to follow newsrooms, topics and people.

or use an email code

Mentioned

Full coverage · 39 outlets
First: Haaretz · Sep 8

The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.

Open the Wire