UAE warned Netanyahu of major Hamas operation days before Oct. 7 attack,…

UAE Warned Netanyahu of Hamas Attack 10 Days Before Oct. 7, Report Says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about a planned Hamas operation 10 days before the militant group’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023, according to a report by Haaretz. The warning, which the UAE leader described as potentially causing “bloodshed” and destabilizing the region, was allegedly conveyed during a 45-minute phone call in late September 2023. The report, citing unnamed sources and a book detailing the events, states that bin Zayed expressed concerns that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a “zilzal”—an Arabic term meaning “earthquake”—to describe a large-scale attack. Sinwar had previously warned a Palestinian intermediary of a “mother of all surprises” and “terrifying operation,” according to the account. The UAE president reportedly urged Netanyahu to take the threat seriously, but the Israeli leader dismissed the warning, asserting that Hamas was more likely to act in the West Bank.

Detail	Information
Date of warning	Approximately Sept. 27, 2023 (10 days before Oct. 7)
Source of warning	Palestinian intermediary connected to Hamas and Israeli security
Key figures involved	UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu’s response	Reassured UAE president that Israel was prepared for any scenario and focused on West Bank threats

Netanyahu’s Office Denies Receiving Warning, Calls Report ‘Absolute Lie’

Netanyahu’s office categorically denied the allegations, stating that the prime minister “did not speak with the UAE president during the period in question and received no warning from him.” The statement labeled the Haaretz report as “a total lie,” though it did not address the broader context of warnings from other sources. The report also revealed that the warning reached Israeli security agencies, including the Shin Bet and IDF, in mid-September 2023. However, officials reportedly did not interpret the information as a specific threat from Gaza. Then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar had proposed preemptive strikes against Hamas leaders on Oct. 1, 2023, but Netanyahu delayed action, instead requesting further analysis. Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly issued a separate warning to Netanyahu around the same time, describing Hamas as preparing “something unusual, a terrifying operation.” Netanyahu allegedly downplayed the concern, stating that Israel “had the situation in Gaza under control” and was focusing on the West Bank.

Political Fallout and Calls for Accountability

The allegations have intensified criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership, particularly as Israel prepares for national elections. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu of “personal and direct responsibility” for the failure to prevent the attack, while Gadi Eisenkot, a senior opposition figure, alleged that the prime minister ignored “dozens of warnings.” The report also highlights internal Israeli military and intelligence debates over the warning’s significance. A Shin Bet official suggested that awareness of the alerts could have altered how earlier statements by Sinwar were interpreted. However, Netanyahu’s office and senior security officials denied being informed of the UAE’s call.

Key Accusations	Accusers
Ignoring warnings	Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot
Failure to act on intelligence	Shin Bet and IDF officials
Denial of UAE warning	Netanyahu’s office, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi

Unresolved Questions and Next Steps

The Haaretz report has reignited calls for an independent inquiry into the events leading up to Oct. 7, with opposition leaders demanding transparency. Netanyahu, however, has rejected official investigations, instead blaming security chiefs for failing to alert him. The UAE and Egypt’s roles in warning Israel remain under scrutiny, as does the broader question of how intelligence was processed and acted upon. With Israel’s elections approaching, the controversy is likely to dominate political discourse, shaping public perceptions of Netanyahu’s leadership and preparedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the UAE actually warn Netanyahu about the Oct. 7 attack?

The Haaretz report claims UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu 10 days before the attack, citing a Palestinian intermediary and internal Israeli sources. However, Netanyahu’s office denied the conversation, calling the report a “total lie.”

What did Netanyahu’s security officials know about the warning?

The report states that the warning reached Shin Bet and IDF officials in mid-September 2023. However, they did not interpret it as a specific threat from Gaza, and no preventive measures were taken. Netanyahu’s office and senior officials denied being informed of the UAE’s call.

How has the warning impacted Netanyahu’s political standing?

The allegations have intensified criticism of Netanyahu, with rivals accusing him of ignoring multiple warnings. The issue is central to Israel’s 2026 election campaign, as opposition leaders demand accountability for the attack’s casualties and failures.

The next critical trigger in this unfolding story will be whether Israeli officials or international bodies initiate formal investigations into the warnings and their handling. As the election campaign intensifies, the pressure on Netanyahu to address these allegations will likely grow, with significant implications for his political future.