Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied allegations that he was warned by the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, about a planned Hamas offensive a week before the attacks on October 7, 2023. According to a book by Haaretz reporters, bin Zayed informed Netanyahu during a 45-minute call that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a significant operation that could destabilize the region. Netanyahu described the claim as an 'absolute lie' and stated he did not speak to the Emirati leader at that time.
The allegations have intensified scrutiny on Netanyahu ahead of upcoming elections, with opposition leaders labeling him 'unfit' for office. They have raised questions about his response to security warnings prior to the attacks, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of 251 hostages by Hamas militants. In retaliation, Israel's military actions have led to significant casualties in Gaza, with reports indicating over 73,000 Palestinian deaths.
Opposition figures, including former military commander Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, have criticized Netanyahu for his handling of security matters, with Bennett asserting that Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for the events of October 7. Many Israelis are calling for an independent state commission of inquiry into the security lapses that allowed the attacks to occur, a proposal that Netanyahu's government has rejected. The claims are detailed in the book 'Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment,' which the authors assert is based on numerous sources, including senior officials in Israel and abroad.