Full Breakdown
Netanyahu’s Undisclosed UAE Warning and the Push for Calm in Gaza
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A security meeting scheduled for October 1, 2023—six days before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023—was reportedly attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, senior Israeli security officials, and top advisers. According to a New York Times report that cites five former Israeli security officials, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warned Netanyahu that Hamas was planning a major offensive. The prime minister is said to have omitted that warning from the meeting’s discussion and instead urged “calm” in Gaza, arguing that major Israeli operations could jeopardize a pending Saudi-Israeli normalization agreement.
Background & Context
The alleged warning follows an investigation published by Haaretz on September 8 that first reported the UAE alert. Israeli officials had reportedly advocated striking Hamas leaders in Gaza who were directing attacks in the West Bank, but Netanyahu is said to have prioritized the diplomatic track with Saudi Arabia, believing a deal to be imminent.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu publicly denied the allegation and, on September 9, announced that he had instructed his lawyers to file a libel suit against Haaretz and journalist Shlomi Eldar. The Prime Minister’s Office also released a statement asserting that a review of call logs and office entry records showed no visit by the Emirati leader, characterizing the claim as part of a “sinister plot” timed for the Israeli left’s election campaign.
The UAE, through a source quoted by The National, rejected the allegation, stating that the Emirates discuss security matters with other countries through appropriate channels and do not convey such details directly at the leader-to-leader level.
Criticism & Opposition
Several senior security officials present at the October 1 meeting, as described in the Times of Israel coverage, argued for immediate strikes against senior Hamas operatives. Their position contrasted with Netanyahu’s emphasis on maintaining calm to preserve the prospective Saudi normalization deal.
What’s Next
Netanyahu’s stated intention to pursue legal action against the media outlets suggests a forthcoming lawsuit, though no filing has been confirmed as of the latest reports. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Israel’s security assessments and its diplomatic outreach in the region.