Haaretz: UAE president warned Netanyahu of Hamas attack before Oct. 7; PM denies

A Haaretz investigation published Tuesday morning claims that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a week and a half before the October 7, 2023 attack and warned him of 'verified information' that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a 'major operation' against Israel. The report says the 45-minute call was kept from the heads of Israel's security establishment. Netanyahu responded, calling the report 'an absolute lie.'

A Haaretz investigation published Tuesday morning alleges that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed personally called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a week and a half before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and warned him of "verified information" that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a "major operation" against Israel. According to the report, the 45-minute call was not shared with the heads of Israel's security establishment. Netanyahu's office swiftly denied the report, with the Prime Minister calling it "an absolute lie."

The Zioneer first reported the Haaretz allegations at 07:21 Jerusalem on Tuesday, and shortly after, at the same time, reported former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's response accusing Netanyahu of leading Israel "blindly" to disaster. Bennett claimed that both bin Zayed and the head of Egyptian intelligence had warned Netanyahu before Oct. 7.

The report comes amid a backdrop of close Israel-UAE security ties. As The Zioneer reported on July 5, Israel deployed soldiers and an Iron Dome battery to the UAE during the recent Iran war, following direct coordination between Netanyahu and bin Zayed. The Zioneer also reported on August 3 that bin Zayed urged President Trump to resume strikes on Iran, reflecting the UAE's deep security concerns.

The Haaretz report is based on unnamed sources and the newspaper did not provide documentation of the call. Netanyahu's denial is on the record. The claim remains unverified.

9 developments

1. yesterday · 15:13 · 8 SeptLatest

   Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of failing to alert the nation.

2. 11:40 · 8 Sept

   Eisenkot claims Netanyahu concealed a specific pre-Oct. 7 UAE warning.

3. 11:12 · 8 Sept

   Eisenkot formally demands state commission of inquiry into pre-Oct 7 warnings.

• Developing21:41 · 27 JunEisenkot: Netanyahu 'not worthy of the nation' after pushing division, evading conscription
• Developing21:20 · 1 SeptNetanyahu claims defense officials 'deliberately' failed to wake him on Oct. 7 morning
• Developing22:16 · 15 JunFormer minister Gadi Eisenkot slams Netanyahu's statement as offering no real answers
• Developing12:20 · 9 JunEisenkot Challenges Netanyahu to Public Debate

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