UAE Reportedly Warned Netanyahu of Major Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7 Offensive

A new report from the Israeli daily Haaretz claims that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a major Hamas operation brewing, just ten days before the devastating October 7, 2023 attack. This explosive revelation suggests that Netanyahu was personally alerted to the impending threat, but allegedly dismissed it, believing Hamas intentions were focused on the West Bank and that Israel's defenses were robust enough for Gaza. Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied the report, calling it an 'absolute lie'. This claim, stemming from a new book titled 'Kidnapped: 843 Days of Abandonment,' intensifies the long-standing debate over Israel's intelligence failure leading up to October 7. The initial Hamas assault killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, triggering a conflict that has reshaped the region. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has publicly supported the Haaretz report, stating he knows it to be true, further fueling calls from opposition leaders for a comprehensive official government inquiry into the events surrounding the intelligence lapses. The immediate fallout includes increased pressure on Netanyahu, who faces national elections and persistent questions about accountability for the October 7 intelligence failure. While the UAE Foreign Ministry has refrained from commenting on specific conversations, it confirmed that all relevant intelligence between the two countries has always been shared through official channels. The report will likely continue to spark heated political discussions in Israel, focusing on leadership responsibility and the need for transparency regarding one of the country's most significant security breakdowns.