Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has rejected reports that he was warned in advance about the October 2023, Hamas attacks by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed.In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said any exchange of relevant information took place only through intelligence channels between the two countries.“The press reports are false. No warning was given to the Prime Minister by the United Arab Emirates before October 7. If there was any relevant information, it was passed through intelligence channels between the two countries,” it posted.According to a new investigative report published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Mohammed bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu that Hamas’ then-leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a “major attack” on Israel.Netanyahu, however, did not share the warning with Israel’s senior security leadership.Around 10 days after their reported conversation, Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.The Haaretz report is based on the new book “Kidnapped: 843 Days of Abandonment.” It claimed that Mohammed bin Zayed spoke to Netanyahu for 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi.Bin Zayed also reportedly urged Netanyahu to address broader sources of instability, including Gaza’s economic situation and rising tensions in the West Bank.According to a UAE presidential advisor interviewed for the book, bin Zayed was “surprised” by Netanyahu’s response, as the Israeli prime minister did not appear “alarmed”.“He (Netanyahu) said that he believed Hamas was preparing to act in the West Bank and assured him that Israel was ready to respond to any scenario,” the report quoted the adviser as saying.The Emirati leader later discussed the warning with then-CIA Director William J Burns. Bin Zayed reportedly expressed concern that “something there is about to explode” and said Netanyahu had instead focused on the West Bank.Notwithstanding the clarification, the report is likely to pile further pressure on Netanyahu, who has repeatedly been accused of ignoring warning signs in the days leading up to the Hamas attack.The claims are also significant as they come ahead of the Israeli Knesset elections, scheduled for October 27, with Netanyahu seeking a seventh term in office.
