UAE Confirms Warning to Netanyahu About October 7 Hamas Attack

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed reports that its president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, personally warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Hamas's preparations for the October 7th attack. The UAE official confirmed information initially reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, stating that bin Zayed alerted Netanyahu about Hamas's plans for a large-scale assault on Israel just days before the attack occurred.

According to a source familiar with the conversation, the warning was delivered during a phone call between bin Zayed and Netanyahu. This confirmation directly contradicts previous statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had categorically denied receiving such a warning from the UAE president approximately ten days before the October 7th events. The denial followed earlier publications suggesting the UAE leader had contacted Netanyahu by phone regarding the potential plans of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Earlier reports also indicated that less than a week before the October 7th tragedy, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who proposed eliminating Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other group commanders. Following the latest reports about the UAE's warning, opposition party leaders participating in upcoming elections issued a joint statement.