Netanyahu Warned of Hamas Attack with Vague Intel, Didn't Inform Security Chiefs

The New York Times has revealed new details regarding a warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly received before October 7th about a potential Hamas attack. According to former Israeli officials cited by the newspaper, the warning from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed contained "non-specific information" and was not shared with top security officials.

These sources claim the Emirati leader stated that Hamas was considering a "major attack." Despite this, a meeting Netanyahu convened with security chiefs on October 1st, less than a week before the massacre, did not address this warning. A protocol from the meeting, obtained by the Times, indicated the objective was to "maintain quiet in Gaza." During this discussion, Netanyahu reportedly dismissed a proposal from security officials to target Hamas leaders in Gaza responsible for attacks in the West Bank.

Furthermore, Netanyahu is quoted as saying that any Israeli action in Gaza could jeopardize normalization talks with Saudi Arabia, which he believed were imminent. Two sources who spoke with individuals present at the late September warning call stated the information was too vague to indicate whether Hamas planned rocket fire or a ground invasion.

It remains unclear what intelligence sources bin Zayed relied on, or if other topics were discussed. This "warning call" has not been mentioned in any official Israeli security investigations to date. The UAE president reportedly mentioned the call to then-CIA Director William Burns, noting he had informed Netanyahu of a "possible Hamas threat" in the West Bank or Gaza.