Source Denies Intelligence Shared Before Oct. 7 Was Deterrent
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Source claims pre-Oct. 7 intelligence shared was not deterrent.
- Information allegedly passed through Mohammed Dahlan to Israel.
- Yahya Sinwar's goal may have been to 'numb' Israel, source suggests.
- Sources close to Dahlan criticize report's timing and political context.
- Senior Israeli intelligence source confirms information was not actionable.
- UAE President had warned Netanyahu of Sinwar's plans, report says.
Sufian Abu Zaida, described in a Haaretz investigation as "Coal Eyes," stated over the weekend that information he conveyed to Mohammed Dahlan did not contain any deterrent elements or details that would have alerted Israel's security establishment. Speaking to i24NEWS, Abu Zaida did not rule out that Yahya Sinwar's objective was to "numb Israel." He also claimed he had not discussed the matter with journalist Shlomi Eldar.
Sources close to Dahlan expressed significant displeasure with the reports, criticizing their timing and political context, particularly their publication in Haaretz. Dimitri Deliani, spokesperson for Dahlan's bloc, told Baruch Yedid that the headlines were exaggerated, politically motivated, and lacked context. He added that Haaretz presented Dahlan's claims from the perspective of Israeli society and political interests, especially during an election period.
A very senior Israeli intelligence source told i24NEWS that information received prior to October 7 was neither alarmist, high-quality, nor operational, falling below the standard of intelligence Israel typically gathers. This source stated that the information did not prompt the agency to take action.
The article notes that the Hamas-Dahlan-Shin Bet connection is not new. Abu Zaida has maintained long-standing ties with Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, with whom Netanyahu reportedly ordered a communication channel opened after the 2014 Gaza war. Abu Zaida also maintains contact with a Shin Bet official identified only as "A," who previously held a senior position in the captives and missing persons division. Therefore, the Shin Bet did not view information received from Abu Zaida, originating from Sinwar, as an exceptional event.
This comes after a report last month in Haaretz revealed that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed had delivered a direct warning to Prime Minister Netanyahu in late September 2023 about Sinwar's intentions to harm Israel. The report stated that bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of a major planned move by Sinwar, but Netanyahu did not brief security chiefs. The report also indicated that bin Zayed urged Netanyahu to take the matter seriously, but the Israeli Prime Minister responded with relative calm.
Read the original at i24NEWS ArabicMentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
