UAE Denies Warning Netanyahu About Impending Hamas Attack

An official source in the United Arab Emirates has officially denied claims that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an impending Hamas attack prior to the October 7th massacre. The denial came in response to inquiries from the Emirati newspaper "The National." The official stated that security discussions between the UAE and other nations are conducted through official professional bodies, not at the level of national leaders. "The UAE discusses security matters with other countries through the relevant channels, and does not discuss details of this nature at the level of national leaders," the source said.

This statement addresses a report published by the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz," which alleged that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed spoke with Netanyahu approximately ten days before the Hamas attack, warning him of a large-scale operation planned by Yahya Sinwar. The report claimed the two leaders held a secure 45-minute conversation during which the Emirati president cautioned that the move could destabilize the region and harm the Abraham Accords.

The Prime Minister's Office vehemently denied the "Haaretz" report, asserting that no such conversation took place between Netanyahu and bin Zayed during the specified period. Investigations into call logs and official records revealed no evidence of such contact. Netanyahu announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and its journalists, labeling the claim a "false blood libel." He argued the publication aimed to shift responsibility away from security officials who failed to identify preparations for the attack and provide clear warnings to the political echelon.

The Emirati official's clarification supports the Prime Minister's Office's claim that security information between the countries is conveyed through established intelligence channels, not via a personal warning from the UAE president to Netanyahu. However, the official did not confirm whether any information was transferred through professional channels at that time. The affair has become a significant issue in Israeli politics, particularly with upcoming elections and ongoing debates about responsibility for the failures preceding the October 7th events. Opposition leaders have used the report to criticize Netanyahu and call for a state inquiry, while his office maintains the story is baseless and presented as fact without evidence.