UAE Warned Israel of Hamas Attack Before October 7
Intelligence from the United Arab Emirates alerted Israel's Shin Bet security agency in September 2023 to the possibility of Hamas launching an attack by the end of that month. This warning was corroborated by another intelligence channel. Shortly after, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming the message had been conveyed and that Netanyahu was aware and addressing it. Following September's end without incident, Israeli officials reportedly told their UAE counterparts that their source was mistaken. The Hamas surprise attack occurred on October 7.
In other developments, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the UN, stating support for Israel against threats, including from Iran, but emphasizing this does not justify Israeli actions in Gaza or the West Bank. Meanwhile, Qatar's Foreign Minister stated that discussions with Iran via mediators at the UN General Assembly were productive. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Barak Ravid that while he understood the October 7 attacks, they should not dictate policy towards Syria, and claimed previous negotiations with Israel nearly reached a 90% agreement before Israel withdrew.
Iranian state media reported explosions near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. In response to French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks at the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Macron's comments were absurd and ignored daily Hamas attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, citing the recent murder of a French-Israeli citizen. Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, also criticized Macron, calling his statements detached from reality and a display of ignorance regarding Hamas's actions in the West Bank. The head of the Benjamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Yisrael Gantz, accused Macron of spreading fake news and offering base support to Hamas.
Separately, a senior Iranian source told the Fars News Agency that Iran is prepared for any scenario and is not afraid of escalation, ready to inflict a greater defeat on its enemies in a new war. Canada announced it would provide $100 million CAD in international aid to Palestinians, according to Reuters. Tel Aviv University is launching a Faculty of Artificial Intelligence Systems Engineering.