Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a direct warning from the president of the United Arab Emirates regarding an imminent offensive by Hamas just before the militant group launched an attack on October 7, 2023. President Mohammed bin Zayed of the U.A.E. informed Netanyahu about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s planned operation during their conversation ten days prior to the attack. Bin Zayed expressed concerns that the attack could result in violence, destabilize the region, and undermine the Abraham Accords, which are normalization agreements between Israel and various Arab and Muslim-majority nations.
Despite the warning, Netanyahu remained composed and assured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any potential scenario, suggesting that an attack was more likely to originate from the occupied West Bank. The attack orchestrated by Hamas on October 7 resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others, as reported by Israeli authorities.
In response to the news, Netanyahu’s office labeled the report as a “complete falsehood,” denying any communication between Netanyahu and the U.A.E. president during the specified period or receiving any forewarning from him. Netanyahu has declined calls for a formal government investigation into the events surrounding the October 7 attack and has refrained from commenting on the matter.
The U.A.E.’s Foreign Ministry has not provided immediate comments or responses to inquiries on the issue. With national elections scheduled for the upcoming month, Netanyahu’s handling of the situation surrounding the October 7 attack has become a focal point in the election campaign. Critics, including former top general Gadi Eisenkot and political rival Naftali Bennett, have accused Netanyahu of disregarding multiple warnings before the attack, holding him personally accountable for the resulting casualties.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 73,650 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry data.