Netanyahu Blames Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar for Lack of 7/10 Warning

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected reports claiming Egypt warned Israel of an impending attack before October 7th, announcing his intention to file a defamation lawsuit. In a sharp statement, Netanyahu directed blame towards Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and other security officials, linking the controversy directly to the upcoming election cycle.

Netanyahu's office stated that the Prime Minister "never meets or speaks with the head of a foreign intelligence service without their Israeli counterparts present." The statement further accused the "left-wing media" of conducting a "vile and false campaign" to attribute Ronen Bar's alleged failures prior to October 7th to Netanyahu.

According to sources in an Arab government and individuals familiar with the matter who spoke with the newspaper Maariv, this was at least the third warning from Egypt. While these warnings did not contain precise details about the timing or scope of the attack, Egyptian concern over developments in Gaza and the possibility of significant escalation was growing.

The article also mentions a separate, unrelated incident where a planned secret visit by Netanyahu to the UAE was abruptly canceled at the last minute. A source close to the matter told Maariv that all preparations were made for the visit, which was to be announced only after its completion. However, the UAE delegation reportedly reversed course, claiming that UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed was "not in the country." Subsequent checks indicated bin Zayed was in Abu Dhabi at the time.