Netanyahu Prioritized Gaza Quiet for Saudi Deal Ahead of Oct. 7, NYT Reports
Six days before the October 7 Hamas attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel's objective should be to maintain quiet in Gaza to avoid jeopardizing a potential normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. The New York Times reported this, citing meeting minutes.
According to the report, Netanyahu did not mention a warning he had personally received about a potential large-scale Hamas attack from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Instead, the prime minister emphasized that any significant military operation in Gaza would undermine diplomatic efforts concerning Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu's stance reportedly conflicted with the views of several security officials present at the meeting. These officials advocated for targeted strikes against senior Hamas leadership involved in terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria.
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