Netanyahu was reportedly warned before October 7, 2023, about a Hamas offensive, according to a Haaretz investigation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly personally warned by United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed approximately ten days before Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that the group was preparing a major offensive against Israel. The information was reported by Haaretz in an investigation based on a book written after interviews with dozens of sources.

According to the report, the warning was conveyed in late September 2023, amid indirect negotiations over the release of hostages and prisoners. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly threatened to prepare “a huge surprise,” using the term “zilzal,” which Emirati officials interpreted as referring to an earthquake or even a war.

The message reportedly reached Israeli intelligence services but was not interpreted as a threat of a large-scale attack from Gaza. Haaretz claims that Netanyahu downplayed the warning and told Mohammed bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario.

The Israeli prime minister’s office, however, denies that Netanyahu discussed the matter with the Emirati leader or received such a warning. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, as well as former Israeli military and political officials, accuse Netanyahu of ignoring the information and attempting to avoid responsibility for the failure of October 7. According to Channel 12, the prime minister reportedly arrived at army headquarters approximately two hours after learning of the attack.​

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