Public disputes concerning the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, including prior warnings, security decisions, and subsequent accounts of responsibility.
Haaretz reported that United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed directly warned Benjamin Netanyahu about ten days before October 7, 2023 that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major operation. Netanyahu and his office categorically deny that the reported call or warning occurred and say official record checks found no supporting documentation. Reporter Shlomi Eldar says he possesses documents, records, and confidential-source evidence supporting the account, but those materials have not been made public. Naftali Bennett says he knows the report is true; other opposition leaders demand an investigation. The UAE government has declined to confirm or deny the alleged conversation.
Statements
United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Role at the time: Official foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates
Explicitly stayed out
Responding to
Mohammed bin Zayed directly warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major Hamas operation that could cause bloodshed and destabilize the region.
"The Ministry does not comment on media stories or speculation regarding conversations between government leaders."
Why we used this label
The ministry expressly declined to address the reported leaders’ conversation; its general statement about intelligence channels is not a confirmation or denial.
Dimitri Diliani is a Palestinian political figure and spokesperson for the Fatah Reform Democratic faction associated with Mohammed Dahlan. He comments publicly on Palestinian politics and relations with Israel.
