Netanyahu warned by UAE leader about Hamas threat before Oct 7
Newly surfaced investigative reports reveal that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Egyptian intelligence explicitly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an impending Hamas attack weeks before October 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received explicit, high-level warnings from regional leaders regarding a looming military operation by Hamas in the weeks preceding the October 7, 2023 attacks, according to investigative reporting according to Allisraelnews. The revelations have intensified domestic political pressure on Netanyahu, who faces accusations of ignoring critical intelligence as the country approaches upcoming electoral contests.
The disclosures stem from extensive research for a forthcoming book, Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment,
which draws upon dozens of sources, recordings, and internal documents across Israel and internationally according to ThePrint. Approximately a week and a half prior to the October 7 onslaught, a representative from the United Arab Emirates embassy delivered a secure communication device to Netanyahu's office according to Allisraelnews. Through this device, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed — commonly known as MBZ — engaged in a 45-minute phone conversation with the Israeli leader according to ThePrint.
Media additions
During the call, bin Zayed warned that Gaza-based Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was orchestrating a major military operation according to Allisraelnews. The Emirati leader stressed that the planned offensive would result in widespread bloodshed and destabilize the wider Middle East, potentially undermining the Abraham Accords according to ThePrint. Preceding this direct presidential contact, a Palestinian intermediary with ties to both Hamas and the Shin Bet, referred to in reports as Coal Eyes
, had received cryptic warnings from Sinwar referencing a looming zilzal,
an Arabic term signifying an earthquake according to Allisraelnews. Alarmed by the rhetoric, the intermediary transmitted the intelligence to an advisor to the UAE president, prompting Abu Dhabi's intervention according to Allisraelnews.
| Warning Source | Timing Before Oct 7 | Reported Content | Netanyahu's Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE President MBZ | Approximately 1.5 weeks | Sinwar planning a major operation/earthquake threatening regional stability | Reacted calmly; expressed confidence IDF was prepared in Judea and Samaria |
| Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel | Late September 2023 | Hamas preparing an unusual, terrifying operation | Stated Israel was in control and diverting forces to the West Bank |
| Shin Bet / Intermediary ("Coal Eyes") | Mid-September 2023 | Sinwar warning of a "zilzal" (earthquake) surprise | Briefed by Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, but action was postponed |
A parallel warning arrived from Egyptian intelligence according to L'Unione Sarda.it. Then-Egyptian Intelligence Minister General Abbas Kamel cautioned Netanyahu's office that Hamas was preparing an unusual and terrifying operation according to Allisraelnews. When confronted with these concerns, Netanyahu reportedly maintained that Israeli security forces were fully in control and focused primarily on developments in the West Bank according to Allisraelnews.
The Prime Minister's Office has issued firm denials regarding the reported exchanges. Officials characterized the Haaretz investigation as entirely false, asserting that Netanyahu never conversed with the UAE president during the specified timeframe and received no such warnings according to Allisraelnews. Furthermore, former heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad stated they were never informed of bin Zayed's direct call to the prime minister according to L'Unione Sarda.it.
Despite the official denials, political figures have seized upon the investigative findings. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett posted on social media to confirm the veracity of the reports, accusing the current premier of personal culpability according to TRT World.
"The report this morning stating that Netanyahu was warned ten days before the October 7 massacre about Sinwar's intentions - true. Netanyahu bears personal and direct responsibility for the failure that led to the deaths of thousands of Israelis on his watch. His ignoring of the warnings is criminal negligence, and therefore he is doing everything to prevent the establishment of a state commission of inquiry that will expose the truth."
Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister, via 𝕏
Bennett argued that Netanyahu failed to alert defense chiefs, convene the cabinet, or ready the nation for an assault according to TRT World. Similar condemnation came from former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who asserted that the prime minister led the country blindly into the disaster by ignoring numerous warnings according to Allisraelnews.
What to Watch Next
- Further disclosures and legal proceedings concerning pre-war negotiations, Qatari financing mechanisms, and regional diplomacy.
