Full Breakdown
UAE-Israel Warning Controversy Ahead of the October 7, 2023 Hamas Attack
By Drooid · · How we work
Alleged Pre-Attack Call
A Haaretz investigation reported that, about ten days before the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) placed a roughly 45-minute telephone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The report said MBZ warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major operation against Israel. The investigation further claimed the warning was not relayed to Israel’s security establishment.
Political Fallout in Israel
The allegation has become a focal point of Israel’s domestic debate as national elections approach, with politicians questioning which intelligence, if any, reached senior leaders before the October 7 attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced plans to file a libel lawsuit against Haaretz and the authors of the investigation, asserting that no such conversation occurred.
Official Responses
- The same spokesperson earlier, on September 8, issued a cautious statement declining to confirm or deny the alleged call, emphasizing that direct lines of communication exist between Israeli and Emirati authorities and that intelligence is shared when necessary.
- Israeli Prime Minister’s Office: The office denied the report from the outset, saying no conversation between Netanyahu and MBZ took place during the period in question and that the prime minister did not receive any warning from the UAE president.
Impact on the Election Debate
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of Israel’s pre-war intelligence handling. Lawmakers and commentators are debating whether any missed warning contributed to the surprise nature of the October 7 assault, and the issue is shaping campaign narratives as parties position themselves on national security accountability.