U.A.E. warned Netanyahu of major Hamas operation days before Oct. 7 attack: Israeli newspaper
A Haaretz report claims the U.A.E. warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a potential Hamas operation days before the October 7 attack. Netanyahu's office has denied the report, calling it an absolute lie and stating no such warning was received.
Why it matters
The report highlights ongoing political tensions in Israel regarding accountability for the October 7 security failure ahead of upcoming national elections.
U.A.E. President Mohammed bin Zayed spoke with Netanyahu 10 days before the attack and said Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza at the time, was planning an operation, the Haaretz daily said.
Bin Zayed said it would lead to bloodshed and could destabilize the region and undermine the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations, the newspaper reported.
But Netanyahu "reacted with relative calm," according to Haaretz, which said he assured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario and a possible attack was more likely to come from the occupied West Bank.
The attack led by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 killed some 1,200 people and took another 251 hostage, according to Israeli officials.
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