Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a direct warning from the President of the United Arab Emirates about an imminent major offensive by Hamas just days before the militant group launched an attack on October 7, 2023, as reported by an Israeli newspaper. President Mohammed bin Zayed of the U.A.E. communicated with Netanyahu 10 days prior to the attack, alerting him that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza at that time, was orchestrating an operation that could result in bloodshed and regional destabilization, potentially undermining the Abraham Accords – the normalization agreements between Israel and various Arab and Muslim-majority nations.

Despite the warning, Netanyahu reportedly remained composed, assuring bin Zayed that Israel was ready for any potential scenario and suggesting that a probable attack might originate from the occupied West Bank instead. The assault carried out by Hamas militants on October 7 resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, with an additional 251 people taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

In response to the report, Netanyahu’s office vehemently denied the claims, labeling them as an “absolute lie” and refuting any communication between Netanyahu and the U.A.E. president during that timeframe. Subsequently, the Prime Minister’s office dismissed the reports as “false,” asserting that if there were relevant alerts, they would have been exchanged through intelligence channels between the two nations.

Following this development, Netanyahu faced calls for a thorough government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the October 7 attack, a matter that has become a focal point in the upcoming national elections in Israel next month. Amidst criticism from political opponents such as Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, who have accused Netanyahu of disregarding prior warnings and holding direct responsibility for the tragic outcomes, the Prime Minister’s actions during the period have sparked significant debate and scrutiny.

Notably, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the reported deaths of over 73,650 Palestinians, according to data from Gaza’s Health Ministry. As the situation unfolds, the U.A.E.’s Foreign Ministry has yet to provide any official comments on the matter.