Netanyahu Aide Denies UAE Warning of Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7

Topaz Luk, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday denied a Haaretz newspaper report claiming that Netanyahu received a direct warning from the United Arab Emirates about a planned Hamas attack a week and a half before October 7. Speaking on Kan News radio, Luk stated, "There was no conversation of this type, no warning of this type was received." He asserted that his investigation found no such conversation occurred at that time, emphasizing that official protocols ensure such communications are documented and relayed to security bodies.

Luk also addressed discrepancies in Netanyahu's schedule, particularly redacted entries in late September. He explained, based on a check with Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman, that these referred to meetings with Israeli officials, not foreign representatives. Regarding the morning of the October 7th attack, Luk refuted claims about Netanyahu's response time, stating the Prime Minister arrived at the Kirya military headquarters before 8:00 AM and spoke with him around 7:00 AM. He also contested a Kan News report that Netanyahu's first call to the IDF Chief of Staff that day was delayed, recalling the Chief of Staff being in his office before descending to the underground command bunker.

Addressing comments made by Sara Netanyahu in a Channel 14 interview, Luk confirmed the interview was reviewed before broadcast, a standard practice for pre-recorded segments. He praised Yair Golan for his actions on October 7th, calling anyone who fought that day a hero. Politically, Luk rejected the idea of reserving a spot for Yair Netanyahu on the Likud party list. He acknowledged that Prime Minister Netanyahu erred by posting critical tweets about security officials early in the war.