Netanyahu Denies Receiving Hamas Attack Warning from UAE President

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied reports that he received a warning about an impending Hamas attack from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan approximately ten days before the October 7, 2023, assault. The report, published by Haaretz, claimed bin Zayed informed Netanyahu that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning actions that could lead to bloodshed, regional destabilization, and jeopardize the Abraham Accords. According to Haaretz, Netanyahu did not share this alleged warning with security chiefs or take specific measures.

Haaretz also reported that the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) had previously received a warning about a planned operation via a Fatah representative. However, Shin Bet officials reportedly did not interpret these details as a direct threat of a large-scale attack from Gaza. On October 1, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar proposed taking active measures against Hamas leadership, including assassinations, but no decision was made on this proposal.

Netanyahu's office issued a strong rebuttal, calling the Haaretz report "complete fiction" and stating that the Prime Minister did not speak with the UAE President during the specified period nor receive any warnings from him.