The United Arab Emirates has formally denied reports that President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a planned Hamas attack ahead of October 7, 2023, according to Israeli media reports. The denial follows a Haaretz investigation that alleged Netanyahu concealed such a warning.
The United Arab Emirates has formally denied reports that President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a planned Hamas attack ten days before October 7, 2023. The denial was reported by Israeli media Monday evening, marking the clearest statement from Abu Dhabi since the claim first surfaced.
The UAE denial is the latest in a chain that began on September 8, when a Haaretz investigation alleged bin Zayed called Netanyahu and shared "verified information" about an impending Hamas operation. The Prime Minister's Office that day called the report an "absolute lie." Later on September 8, UAE sources declined to confirm or deny the alleged call, as The Zioneer reported. On Saturday, September 19, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said bin Zayed told him personally that he did not warn Netanyahu, backing the Emirati position.
The Haaretz investigation, co-authored by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, claimed bin Zayed initiated a 45-minute call urging Israel to prepare for a "formidable event." The report has been rejected by both the PMO and, now, by official Emirati channels. Bennett's statement — which he said was based on a direct conversation with bin Zayed — added political weight to the denial but did not provide independent corroboration.
What remains unresolved: Haaretz reporter Shlomi Eldar has indicated he possesses recordings of the alleged call. On Monday evening, Channel 14 journalist Yinon Magal challenged Eldar to release them, stating "now is the time to release them." Absent such evidence, the story rests on competing claims — the Haaretz report against categorical denials from both Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi.
2 developments
- StrongAP: Netanyahu Asked UAE President to Deny Pre-Oct. 7 Warning During Secret Visit
- ConfirmedBiden administration was unaware of a concrete UAE warning before Oct. 7, i24NEWS reports
- DevelopingNYT reports Netanyahu received 'non-specific' warning before Oct. 7, did not share with security chiefs
- StrongLapid: If Netanyahu had done his job, Oct. 7 massacre would have been prevented
Source and signal
- Open-source intake