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 Israeli 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 "significant event" and that "Israel should be prepared."

According to "Haaretz," Netanyahu responded calmly to the warning, assessing that Hamas intended to act in the West Bank and assuring bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario. The report further states 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 they 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 decisions were made. The Prime Minister's Office issued a strong denial, calling the report a "complete lie" and stating that Netanyahu did not speak with the UAE president during the period in question nor receive any warning. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the "October 7th Council" have criticized Netanyahu based on the "Haaretz" report, demanding a state inquiry into what information was received and acted upon prior to the attack.