Netanyahu Said to Have Been Warned by Emirati Leader About Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7

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1. 1h ago

   Netanyahu Denies UAE Warning Ahead of Oct. 7

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense scrutiny as reports reveal he received a direct warning about an impending Hamas attack from United Arab Emirates leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan before October 7, 2023. Sources indicate Netanyahu kept the intelligence briefing from his security chiefs during an October 1 meeting and instead called for calm in Gaza to protect potential Saudi normalization talks. Netanyahu and his office have denied receiving any such warning from the Emirati leader. The disclosure emerges as Netanyahu seeks an unprecedented seventh term while deflecting blame onto national security officials.

   Why it matters

   The timing of the revelations coincides with an upcoming Israeli election and adds to mounting pressure on Netanyahu regarding pre-attack intelligence failures. Critics argue the prime minister must personally answer for ignoring multiple warnings, including separate alerts from Egypt. Meanwhile, Netanyahu recently traveled to Abu Dhabi for a secret weekend meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret weekend meeting with United Arab Emirates leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
   • Reports indicate United Arab Emirates intelligence warned Shin Bet of Hamas action before October 7, prompting a direct call to Netanyahu.
   • Minutes from an October 1 briefing show Netanyahu did not mention an Emirati warning, instead calling for calm and cautioning that strikes on Hamas leaders could jeopardize Saudi normalization.
   • The prime minister's office has denied that Netanyahu received any warning from the Emirati leader.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Netanyahu backed Hamas civilian understandings just one day after receiving a major attack warning.

   What to watch next

   • Any official release of Israeli security cabinet meeting transcripts or documentation from the relevant dates
   • Statements from Israeli security chiefs regarding what intelligence was shared with them prior to October 7
   • Developments in Israel's upcoming election cycle as candidates address pre-war intelligence failures
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. nytimes.com — Netanyahu Said to Have Been Warned by Emirati Leader About Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7
   2. RAND — Netanyahu May Have Ignored a Dire Warning. Israel Ignores the Deeper Threat.
   3. The Times of Israel — Report: UAE intel warned Shin Bet of Hamas action before Oct. 7, prompting leader’s call to Netanyahu
   4. JNS.org — The Oct. 7 warning that doesn’t add up
   5. ynetnews.com — Report: Netanyahu kept UAE Oct. 7 warning from security chiefs in meeting days before attack
   6. Haaretz — NYT: Sources Confirm Haaretz Report of UAE President's Oct. Warning to Netanyahu
   7. www.ynetnews.com — Report: Netanyahu kept UAE Oct. 7 warning from security chiefs in meeting days before attack
   8. The Times of Israel — Despite pre-Oct. 7 warning, PM reportedly feared Gaza strikes would undermine Saudi talks
   9. The Jerusalem Post — Emirati October 7 warning reportedly never reached Israeli security leaders
   10. Commentary Magazine — Bibi’s Caution and the October 7 Attacks
   11. i24NEWS — Report: Netanyahu Failed To Relay UAE Warning Of Hamas Attack To Security Chiefs
   12. www.inquirer.com — Netanyahu is said to have been warned about Hamas attack before Oct. 7
   confidence 90%