Netanyahu Sues Media Outlets Over Pre-Oct. 7 Warning Claims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has filed defamation lawsuits against ten media organizations and journalists, seeking NIS 2.6 million in damages. The suits, lodged with the Jerusalem District Court, target outlets including Haaretz, Yediot Ahronot, ynet, and Channel 12 News. Netanyahu alleges these entities falsely reported that he received security warnings from Egypt and the UAE about an impending attack prior to the October 7th Hamas massacre.

The Likud party issued a statement asserting the claims are "an absolute lie," noting that both the UAE and Egypt have denied issuing such warnings. The party accused political rivals and foreign adversaries of spreading these "lies" during an election period.

The legal action follows recent publications suggesting Netanyahu was explicitly alerted to the potential for a major disaster. Reports indicated that during a meeting with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, Netanyahu requested the denial of a report claiming he had been warned before October 7th. The Wall Street Journal, citing Arab government sources, reported that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel had personally called Netanyahu in early October expressing "deep concern" about an imminent attack from Gaza, following two prior Egyptian warnings that were allegedly not adequately addressed by Israel.

Further details emerged from an Atlantic magazine investigation, which revealed that the Egyptian intelligence chief made a brief, secret visit to Ben Gurion Airport just 11 days before the war began. During this 67-minute visit, he reportedly warned that Hamas was preparing for a major offensive and urged Israeli officials to implement immediate economic easing measures for Gaza to de-escalate the situation.