UAE Denies Warning Netanyahu About Hamas Attack Before October 7

The United Arab Emirates has denied reports from Israeli media claiming that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an impending Hamas attack prior to October 7. An official source told The National newspaper, "The UAE discusses security issues with other countries through the appropriate channels. Such details are not discussed at the level of national leaders."

Earlier reports by Israel's Kan channel on September 9 suggested that bin Zayed had informed then-CIA Director William Burns after the Hamas attack that he had warned Netanyahu. However, the Kan report did not specify if bin Zayed mentioned a concrete warning about the Hamas attack or the plans of Yahya Sinwar.

N12 news, citing a source close to UAE leadership, also reported that a warning was conveyed to Israel before October 7, but the source did not disclose the exact content, method of delivery, or the specific recipient in Israel. It remains unclear if this was the same warning that Haaretz reported bin Zayed allegedly conveyed directly to Netanyahu.

Ynet, referencing a senior Middle Eastern intelligence source, stated that the UAE had provided Israel with information from a "highly reliable" source regarding Hamas's preparation for a "significant and imminent" attack. This source also declined to specify how the information was transmitted or if bin Zayed discussed it directly with Netanyahu.

Channel 13 reported that former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had mentioned in private conversations that bin Zayed had personally told him about warning Netanyahu. Bennett responded to the channel's inquiry by stating the information was "not true" and that he does not comment on his conversations with foreign leaders. Netanyahu has categorically denied the Haaretz report, asserting no such conversation took place with the UAE president, and his office confirmed no record of such a call was found in the prime minister's logs.