Netanyahu Denies UAE President's Warning of Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied a report claiming that the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, warned Netanyahu about an impending significant Hamas attack approximately a week and a half before October 7. The report, published by the newspaper "Haaretz," cited a close advisor to the UAE president who stated that bin Zayed told Netanyahu that Hamas leader Sinwar was preparing for a major event and that Israel should be ready.

According to "Haaretz," Netanyahu responded calmly to the warning, reportedly believing Hamas intended to act in the West Bank and assuring bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario. The report further alleges that Netanyahu did not relay this specific warning to Israeli security chiefs. However, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) reportedly received a similar warning in mid-September 2023, which some within the agency interpreted as a sign of diminished Israeli deterrence and potentially related to the Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who had been abducted.

Despite the Shin Bet's concerns and recommendations for increased security or strikes in Gaza, no decisive actions were taken following a discussion on the matter. The report also mentions previous claims that Egyptian intelligence had also warned Netanyahu of a significant Hamas attack. Netanyahu's office issued a strong denial, calling the report "an absolute lie" and stating that the prime minister did not speak with the UAE president during the specified period or receive any warning from him.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the "October 7 Council" have reacted to the report. Bennett criticized Netanyahu, stating that both the UAE president and the head of Egyptian intelligence had warned him of a planned Hamas operation, and accused Netanyahu of leading Israel blindly and arrogantly into disaster. The October 7 Council called for a state inquiry to uncover the full truth about who knew what and when, emphasizing the need to investigate warnings received before the attack, not just who woke Netanyahu on the day of the massacre.