Opposition Leaders Accuse Netanyahu of Ignoring Hamas Warning Before Oct. 7

Leaders of Israel's opposition bloc, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, have issued a sharp joint statement demanding an immediate state inquiry into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alleged dismissal of a direct warning from the UAE president about Hamas's intentions ten days before the October 7th massacre. The opposition leaders stated that the Israeli public deserves to know what happened before, during, and after the attack, and pledged to establish a state commission of inquiry immediately upon forming the next government.

A report published by the newspaper Haaretz claims that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held an unusual phone call with Netanyahu, warning that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a "significant event" and had conveyed a message about preparing an "earthquake." According to the report, Netanyahu reacted with "complete indifference," assessing the threat as a potential escalation in the West Bank and failing to update the defense minister, the IDF chief of staff, the head of the Shin Bet, or the head of the Mossad.

The Prime Minister's Office has vehemently denied the report, calling it a "complete lie." However, the opposition leaders criticized Netanyahu, stating that while he and his allies spread "false conspiracy theories" and blame the security establishment, "serious warnings" were apparently delivered directly to him and ignored. They characterized this as "arrogance and a breach of trust" and "extreme negligence in his role."

Bennett, a former prime minister, separately confirmed the report's veracity, stating, "The publication this morning that Netanyahu was warned ten days before the October 7th massacre about Sinwar's intentions is true." He accused Netanyahu of direct responsibility for the failures that led to the massacre. The opposition leaders concluded that Netanyahu and his government are unfit to continue in their roles and vowed to prevent further disasters.