UAE President Warned Netanyahu of Hamas Attack Plans, Report Claims

In late September 2023, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn him of impending Hamas operational plans. The conversation, lasting about 45 minutes, was detailed in an investigation by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval for Haaretz, as part of their upcoming book "Hostages: 843 Days of Neglect." Bin Zayed allegedly expressed concerns that a major operation planned by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could lead to bloodshed, destabilize the region, and damage the Abraham Accords. He urged Israel to prepare and suggested finding economic solutions for Gaza and reducing tensions in the West Bank to prevent escalation.

According to the report, Bin Zayed's warning was conveyed through a close Palestinian advisor who maintained contacts in Gaza. The advisor reportedly told Netanyahu that Sinwar was preparing for a "significant event" and that Israel should take measures. Netanyahu, the report claims, reacted calmly, suggesting Hamas might target Samaria and Judea, and assured Bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario. The authors allege that this specific warning from the UAE president was not subsequently passed to the IDF Chief of Staff, Shin Bet chief, or Mossad director.

However, other intelligence regarding Sinwar's threats had reached the Israeli security apparatus days earlier. On September 15, 2023, the Shin Bet received a message about Sinwar's threats. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly contacted Netanyahu, leading to a separate meeting on the situation, according to Haaretz's investigation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog corroborated that Bin Zayed had repeatedly discussed the deteriorating situation in the months before October 7, urging de-escalation. Herzog stated that the UAE president "seemed to feel that the situation was on the verge of exploding" and had even sent a special envoy to meet Netanyahu.

The Haaretz investigation further suggests Bin Zayed later shared his concerns with CIA Director William Burns, expressing a feeling that "something was about to explode" in Gaza. Despite these alleged warnings, Netanyahu reportedly viewed escalation in Samaria and Judea as the primary threat. The report claims Bin Zayed's source was his Palestinian advisor, who had relayed messages from Sinwar in early September about an "enormous surprise" and a "زلزال" (earthquake), followed by a mid-September reiteration of a large, unusual operation.

Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied the report's claims about the conversation with Bin Zayed, calling the publication "complete lies" and stating the Prime Minister never spoke with the UAE president during that period or received any warnings from him. Netanyahu himself has also denied such a conversation took place.