UAE warned Netanyahu of major Hamas operation days before Oct. 7 attack, news report says

Live updates

1. 4d ago

   Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert confirms UAE warning to Netanyahu

   Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated that a report by Haaretz is accurate regarding a warning from UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed to Benjamin Netanyahu about a Hamas operation before October 7. Netanyahu has denied the claims, calling them "malicious libel" and announcing plans to sue the newspaper. The allegation suggests Netanyahu failed to brief security chiefs despite the tip-off. This development intensifies domestic pressure on the Prime Minister as rivals argue he is unfit for office.

   Why it matters

   The October 7 attack led to a massive conflict and increased U.S. military commitment, including $22B in aid. The dispute centers on whether leadership failures allowed the attack to happen. A separate claim suggests Israel refused a Hamas offer to release all hostages without demands.

   What is confirmed

   • Benjamin Netanyahu called the claims of a prior warning "malicious libel".
   • The report alleges UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of a Hamas plot days before October 7.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Hamas offered to release all hostages immediately with no demands, a deal Israel refused.
   • Netanyahu failed to brief security chiefs after receiving the UAE warning.

   What to watch next

   • Outcome of Netanyahu's lawsuit against the newspaper
   • Further corroboration from UAE officials
   • Official Israeli government response to Ehud Olmert's statement
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. www.foxnews.com — Trump gives timeline for when Iran war will end and prices fall
   2. www.mirror.co.uk — Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu 'was warned days before that Hamas were planning major October 7 attack'
   3. www.foxnews.com — Hillary Clinton: 'I hate' Trump and Netanyahu's governments but love America and Israel
   4. tass.com — Russia receives $3.77 bln in revenue from migration processes over 1.5 years
   5. www.thenewhumanitarian.org — UK condemns “settler terrorists”, Sudan’s chemical weapons exposed, and Yemen’s war escalates: The Cheat Sheet
   6. www.siasat.com — UAE warning to Netanyahu absolutely accurate, former Israeli PM
   7. www.military.com — Israeli PM Netanyahu Allegedly Ignored Oct. 7, 2023, Warning; US Then Provided $22B in Military Aid
   8. www.yahoo.com — Fox News Host Reminds Ken Paxton About His Scandals: 'It's A Long List Here'
   confidence 80%
2. 6d ago

   Netanyahu Faces Backlash Over Report of Ignored UAE Warning

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense domestic backlash and calls for his removal after a news report alleged that he received an explicit warning from the UAE leader about a major Hamas operation days before the October 7 attack and failed to brief security chiefs. Rivals have called Netanyahu unfit following the report, while the prime minister announced plans to sue the newspaper over the claim. The report also alleged that Hamas offered to release all hostages immediately with no demands, a deal Israel refused.

   Why it matters

   The investigative report has triggered a severe political storm in Israel, drawing strong reactions from policy experts in the United States and the Middle East. Questions continue to swirl regarding what intelligence officials knew prior to the offensive. Previous assertions from domestic leaders indicate that Netanyahu received multiple international and domestic warnings before the attack.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received an explicit warning from the UAE leader about a major Hamas operation days before the October 7 attack.
   • Netanyahu failed to brief security chiefs following the warning.
   • Netanyahu announced he will sue the newspaper over the report.
   • The report triggered political backlash and calls for Netanyahu's removal from his political rivals.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Hamas immediately offered to release all the Israeli hostages it had taken in the attack, demanding nothing in return, but Israel refused the deal.

   What to watch next

   • Legal proceedings regarding Netanyahu's announced lawsuit against Haaretz
   • Further official statements from Israeli security chiefs concerning pre-attack intelligence briefings
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. Haaretz — Netanyahu got an explicit warning before Oct. 7. He didn't brief security chiefs
   2. France 24 — UAE leader warned Netanyahu of Hamas attack days before October 7, says report
   3. The Times — Netanyahu was ‘warned about October 7 by UAE president’
   4. AP News — UAE warned Netanyahu of major Hamas operation days before Oct. 7 attack, news report says
   5. The Times of India — UAE leader warned Netanyahu of Hamas attack days before Oct 7, PM dismissed warning: Report
   6. CNN — Netanyahu faces backlash over report he was warned of Hamas attack days before October 7
   7. theguardian.com — Netanyahu was warned of 7 October Hamas attacks, book claims
   8. The Times of Israel — Bennett: Netanyahu received multiple international, domestic warnings of Hamas attack before Oct. 7
   9. The New Republic — Bombshell October 7 Report Leads to Calls for Netanyahu’s Removal
   10. The New York Times — Netanyahu’s Rivals Call Him ‘Unfit’ After Report He Was Warned Before Oct. 7 Attack
   11. The New Yorker — The Warning Benjamin Netanyahu Ignored
   12. The Times of Israel — Netanyahu says he’ll sue Haaretz over report UAE leader warned him days before Oct. 7
   confidence 90%