Netanyahu Denies Receiving Hamas Attack Warning from UAE President

A report published by the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" claims that approximately ten days before the October 7th Hamas attacks, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warned him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a "major move" against Israel. The Prime Minister's Office has vehemently denied this report, stating the conversation never took place.

According to the "Haaretz" investigation, bin Zayed initiated an unusual 45-minute call with Netanyahu in late September 2023. During the call, the UAE president reportedly expressed concern that the event would lead to bloodshed, destabilize the region, and harm the Abraham Accords. A close advisor to bin Zayed was quoted as saying the UAE president clarified to Netanyahu that Israel needed to prepare for the threat, estimating that Sinwar was preparing for a "significant event" and recommending de-escalation in Gaza and the West Bank.

However, the report alleges that Netanyahu assessed the Hamas threat as directed towards the West Bank during the conversation and assured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario. The report further claims that bin Zayed later informed then-CIA Director William Burns about the conversation and his feeling that "something was about to explode."

Significantly, the "Haaretz" report suggests that the head of the Shin Bet, the head of the Mossad, and the IDF Chief of Staff were not informed of the warning allegedly conveyed by bin Zayed to Netanyahu. The report also details other warnings received by Israel, including a message from Sinwar on September 15th to the Shin Bet about preparing an "earthquake" for Israel, which Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly updated Netanyahu on. Additionally, a call from Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel a few days before October 7th warned of "something unusual, a formidable operation" from Hamas, to which Netanyahu allegedly responded that the situation in Gaza was under control and the problem was in the West Bank.

In response to the "Haaretz" report, the Prime Minister's Office issued a strong denial regarding the conversation with the UAE president, calling it a "complete lie." Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated they were not informed of any warning from the UAE president. "Haaretz" reported that bin Zayed did not respond to their inquiries.