An article published by Haaretz on Tuesday reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warning from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the President of the United Arab Emirates, about a potential attack by Hamas days before the October 7th incidents. The report, based on a new book by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, stated that during a 45-minute conversation, bin Zayed warned Netanyahu that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s leader in Gaza, was preparing a significant event. Sinwar had reportedly indicated to a Fatah official that he was planning a 'zilzal,' or 'earthquake.'
According to the report, Netanyahu did not inform Israel's security chiefs about this warning and instead reassured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario, suggesting that the more volatile area was the West Bank. Bin Zayed expressed concern to CIA Director William J. Burns about Netanyahu's apparent nonchalance regarding the warning.
Netanyahu denied the conversation took place, but the UAE's foreign ministry indicated that the two countries maintain open communication and exchange intelligence when necessary. Eldar stated that the article was based on discussions with three independent sources and supported by a recording and documents from the conversation.
The report has drawn significant attention, particularly as it comes ahead of elections in Israel, marking the first polls since the October 7th attacks. Naftali Bennett, a former Prime Minister and political rival, confirmed the report's validity and criticized Netanyahu for ignoring warnings from both bin Zayed and Abbas Kamel, a former head of Egyptian intelligence.
In a rare joint statement, opposition leaders demanded to know what Netanyahu was aware of and why he did not act to protect Israeli citizens. Eldar noted that Netanyahu had only issued a denial without aggressive counterattacks from his public relations team. Some media personalities close to Netanyahu attempted to downplay the report, suggesting it was part of a media agenda against him.
Despite the denial, analysts suggest that the timing of these revelations could negatively impact Netanyahu's government in the upcoming elections. Dahlia Scheindlin, an expert on public opinion, indicated that while Netanyahu's supporters may dismiss the report, it could still influence undecided voters. With polls showing tight races, even minor shifts in public opinion could be significant as the election approaches.