Netanyahu Denies UAE Warning of Hamas Attack, Cites Intelligence Channels

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially denied a report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which claimed he was warned by the United Arab Emirates about an impending Hamas attack prior to October 7th. The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "The media reports are incorrect. No warning was given to the Prime Minister from the United Arab Emirates before October 7th."

However, the statement suggested that while Netanyahu himself may not have received a direct warning, relevant information could have been passed through established intelligence channels between the two countries. The official message read, "If there was any relevant information, it was transferred through intelligence channels between the two countries."

The Haaretz report, based on research for a book titled 'Hostages - 843 Days of Abandonment,' alleged that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a phone call with Netanyahu about a week and a half before the Hamas attack. During this call, bin Zayed reportedly warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a "significant event" and conveyed a message that he was preparing an "earthquake."

According to the report, Netanyahu reacted with indifference, believing it to be related to escalation in the West Bank. The report further claimed that Netanyahu did not share the content of this alleged warning with the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, or the head of the Mossad.