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Report Says Netanyahu Ignored Warnings Before Hamas’s October 7 Attack
A report says Israel received several warnings before Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023.
One alleged warning came from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed in a phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu.
The report says Netanyahu thought Hamas might attack in the West Bank instead.
It also says he did not tell senior security officials about the alleged call.
Shin Bet and Egyptian intelligence reportedly gave additional warnings.
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had sent messages describing a major attack as an “earthquake.”
The attack killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken, according to the reports.
Netanyahu’s office says the UAE call and warning never happened.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized Netanyahu and said he was directly responsible.
Haaretz reported that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu about a planned Hamas operation roughly 10 days before October 7, 2023.
The report said Netanyahu believed Hamas was more likely to attack in the West Bank and did not disclose the alleged UAE warning to senior security officials.
Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly issued separate warnings about an impending Hamas operation.
The warnings followed stalled prisoner-exchange negotiations and messages from Yahya Sinwar describing a planned “zilzal,” or earthquake.
Netanyahu’s office called the allegations an “absolute lie,” while former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Netanyahu bore direct responsibility for the disaster.
- Who
- The reports concern Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed bin Zayed, Yahya Sinwar, Ronen Bar, Abbas Kamel, Israeli security officials, and Hamas.
- What
- Haaretz reported that Netanyahu received or was briefed about multiple warnings of a planned Hamas attack but did not adequately act on or disclose them; Netanyahu’s office denies the allegations.
- Where
- The warnings concerned Hamas activity in Gaza and the West Bank; Hamas launched its cross-border attack into southern Israeli communities.
- When
- The reported warnings occurred in September and early October 2023; the attack began at 6:29 a.m. on October 7, 2023.
- Why
- According to the report, stalled prisoner-exchange talks and differing assessments of Hamas’s intentions contributed to the failure to respond; Netanyahu’s office rejects this account.
Haaretz Investigation and Critics
Netanyahu’s Office
Whether the UAE warning occurred
Haaretz Investigation and Critics
Haaretz, citing sources in the UAE and Shin Bet, reported that Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu during a 45-minute call about a major Hamas operation.
Netanyahu’s Office
Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister did not speak with the UAE president during the period and received no such warning.
Whether Netanyahu mishandled warnings
Haaretz Investigation and Critics
The report said Netanyahu failed to disclose the alleged UAE and Egyptian warning calls at a later security meeting and did not take adequate action. Naftali Bennett said Netanyahu bore direct responsibility.
Netanyahu’s Office
Netanyahu’s office called the investigation an “absolute lie” and rejected its central allegations.
Assessment of Hamas’s intentions
Haaretz Investigation and Critics
The report said Netanyahu believed Hamas was focused on the West Bank, while warnings described a major operation from Gaza; critics argue this contributed to Israel’s lack of preparedness.
Netanyahu’s Office
The reported account says Netanyahu told the UAE and Egypt that Israel was monitoring the situation and remained in control, reflecting his assessment that Israel was prepared.
Key facts
- Alleged UAE warning
- Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly spoke with Netanyahu for 45 minutes roughly 10 days before the attack.
- Reported threat description
- Yahya Sinwar reportedly described the planned operation as a “zilzal,” or earthquake, and later as “the mother of all surprises.”
- Shin Bet warning
- The report said Sinwar’s message reached Shin Bet on September 15, after which Ronen Bar briefed Netanyahu.
- Security meeting
- Senior defense officials reportedly met on September 17, but made no decision after Bar warned Israel was “on a collision course.”
- Egyptian warning
- Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly called Netanyahu about “something unusual, a terrifying operation.”
- Attack impact
- The October 7 attack killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to the reports.
- Official response
- Netanyahu’s office said he did not speak with the UAE president during the relevant period and received no warning from him.
Quotes
Benjamin Netanyahu's Prime Minister's Office
The Israeli prime minister's office responding to the Haaretz investigation
“The emir explained that, in his assessment, Sinwar was preparing for a major event. He told Netanyahu that Israel should be ready. Concurrently, he recommended trying to find an economic solution for the Strip and calming the West Bank to prevent escalation.”
wionews.com
“Mohammed bin Zayed of the Emirates warned Netanyahu that Sinwar was planning an operation. Abbas Kamel, the head of Egyptian General Intelligence, also warned Netanyahu days before the massacre that a major operation was being planned”
NDTV
Sources
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