Netanyahu Challenges Report of Pre-Attack Warning from UAE Leader
By Editor • September 10, 2026 • 2 min read
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied allegations that he was warned of an imminent Hamas attack ten days prior to the deadly incident on October 7, 2023. The claims emerged from a report published by the newspaper Haaretz, which detailed a conversation between Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates.
According to Haaretz, during the conversation, Sheikh bin Zayed cautioned Netanyahu about a possible Hamas assault that could result in significant bloodshed and disrupt regional stability. The report indicated that this warning was not communicated to Israeli security officials, a claim Netanyahu has dismissed as an “absolute lie.”
In response to the report, Netanyahu's legal team has threatened to pursue a libel suit against Haaretz, asserting that no such conversation took place in September or early October. He has also rejected calls for an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the October 7 attack, a critical issue as Israel approaches national elections.
Election Context and Political Ramifications
The timing of these allegations is particularly sensitive, as the Israeli elections loom next month. Netanyahu's handling of security matters related to the Hamas attack has become a focal point in the campaign, with opponents accusing him of ignoring multiple warnings.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu for allegedly failing to heed numerous alerts regarding potential threats, while former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for the tragic loss of life during the attack.
Impact of the October 7 Attack
The October 7 assault by Hamas resulted in over 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 251 hostages taken, prompting Israel to declare war and launch extensive airstrikes on Gaza. The conflict has had devastating consequences, with reports indicating that more than 73,650 Palestinians have died since the onset of hostilities.
As the situation continues to unfold, both Netanyahu and the UAE Foreign Ministry have emphasized their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication and intelligence sharing, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the pre-attack warnings.
Source: www.abc.net.au
