Netanyahu Warned of Hamas Attack, Ignored Security Advice: Report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly warned by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about an impending Hamas attack on October 7, but dismissed security recommendations to strike Hamas leaders, according to five Israeli officials speaking to The New York Times. The officials claim Netanyahu received the warning but did not mention it in a security briefing on October 1, 2023, stating his goal was to maintain quiet in Gaza. He allegedly rejected security officials' proposals to consider strikes against Hamas leadership, citing concerns that any Israeli action could jeopardize potential Saudi-Israeli normalization talks.

Netanyahu's office has denied the report. Some sources suggest the intelligence about the Hamas attack was not specific, leaving ambiguity about whether the organization planned rocket fire or a ground invasion. Despite denials from both Netanyahu and the UAE, Sheikh bin Zayed reportedly mentioned the call with Netanyahu to then-CIA Director William Burns months after the attack, alleging Hamas was planning a major operation.

The alleged warning call was not mentioned in subsequent internal IDF or intelligence agency investigations into the security failures preceding October 7, according to the five officials. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly stated in private conversations that he was informed by bin Zayed about the warning to Netanyahu and was asked not to discuss it. Bennett has since denied this report, calling it false and refusing to comment on his conversations with leaders.

The Likud party issued a statement accusing "left-wing journalists" of spreading "false publications" as elections approach, aiming to oust the right-wing government. They asserted that the Prime Minister's office proved no such call occurred and criticized The New York Times for publishing what they termed "blood libels" and "anti-Zionist" content.