🇮🇱🇦🇪🇵🇸 — Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed gave Israeli PM Netanyahu a direct warning around 10 days before October 7, 2023, saying Hamas was preparing a major operation against Israel.
Netanyahu responded that he believed Hamas was primarily focused on the West Bank and that Israel was prepared for any scenario.
The warning came after earlier indications of a possible escalation. In September, intermediaries conveyed messages from then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar referring to an approaching 'earthquake', prompting discussions among Israeli security officials.
Netanyahu has been accused of not informing the heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, or IDF about the subsequent warning from bin Zayed. Some senior security officials said that had they known about the warning, it could have affected their assessment of Hamas's intentions.
Netanyahu's Office denies that he received any warning from the UAE president, calling the claim an 'absolute lie'.
— Haaretz | @TheWarReporter