UAE Denies President Warned Netanyahu of Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7

An official source in the United Arab Emirates has refuted claims that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of an impending Hamas attack in the weeks before October 7, 2023. Responding to inquiries from the Emirati newspaper 'The National,' the source stated that the UAE discusses security matters through relevant channels and does not engage in such specific details at the leadership level. This statement serves as the clearest Emirati response to date regarding a controversy sparked by an Israeli 'Haaretz' newspaper investigation.

The 'Haaretz' report alleged that about a week and a half before the Hamas assault, bin Zayed called Netanyahu and warned him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a significant move against Israel. The report further claimed the conversation lasted approximately 45 minutes and that the information was not subsequently shared with security chiefs. The Prime Minister's Office had previously denied the 'Haaretz' report, asserting that no such call took place and that Netanyahu received no warning from bin Zayed. Netanyahu also announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against 'Haaretz' and its reporters.

The new clarification from Abu Dhabi follows a more cautious statement from the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 8. At that time, the ministry neither confirmed nor denied the call, stating it does not comment on 'reports or speculations' about leader-level conversations. However, it emphasized the existence of direct communication channels between Israeli and Emirati authorities and the transfer of relevant intelligence information between appropriate bodies when necessary.

The issue has become a focal point in Israel's political discourse, particularly in the lead-up to elections, centering on what warnings reached the political echelon before October 7, who was privy to them, and whether they were passed to security forces. 'The National' also noted the particular significance of this affair in the context of the election campaign and parties' focus on security issues.