UAE’s warning ignored: Netanyahu under fire over Hamas attack.

Emirati Leader’s alert went unheeded, raising questions of accountability.

Days before the devastating October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn of an imminent Hamas strike. According to an investigation by Haaretz, the Emirati leader cautioned that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s chief in Gaza, was preparing a “zilzal”- an earthquake-like operation that could destabilize the region and jeopardize the Abraham Accords.

The 45‑minute call, sources claim, was met with calm reassurance from Netanyahu, who suggested Hamas was focused on the West Bank and insisted Israel was prepared. Crucially, he did not share the warning with Israel’s top security agencies- Shin Bet, Mossad, or the IDF. The report further alleges that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel also issued a similar alert, only to be told by Netanyahu that Israel had the situation under control.

The investigation highlights a breakdown in communication and decision-making. In early 2023, Shin Bet had opened a secret channel with Hamas to negotiate a prisoner exchange, but delays on Israel’s side stalled progress. By September, Sinwar warned intermediaries of a “mother of all surprises,” signalling frustration with the stalled talks. Shin Bet relayed this to Netanyahu, and internal meetings flagged the risk of a major escalation. Yet no decisive action was taken.

When the attack came at dawn on October 7, Hamas fighters stormed Israeli territory, killing hundreds and abducting 251 people, including civilians and soldiers. The scale of the assault shocked the nation and drew global condemnation.

Netanyahu’s office has dismissed the Haaretz report as “an absolute lie,” denying any such call with bin Zayed. The UAE leader has not commented publicly. Still, the allegations have fuelled anger within Israel. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu of “leading Israel blindly into disaster,” arguing that his long-standing policy of tolerating Hamas as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority left Israel dangerously exposed.

The controversy underscores how ignored intelligence warnings even from allies- can have catastrophic consequences. It also raises broader questions about Netanyahu’s leadership, his handling of security alerts, and the political calculations that may have influenced his decisions. As Israel continues to grapple with the aftermath of October 7, the debate over accountability remains fierce.