Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire after a report claimed he received a warning before the October 7 attack.
Opposition leaders have questioned whether Netanyahu remains fit to serve. The criticism follows a report published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
The report was excerpted from a forthcoming book written by Haaretz journalists. It claimed UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warned Netanyahu about a planned Hamas operation.
According to the report, the alleged conversation happened around ten days before October 7, 2023. The UAE leader reportedly told Netanyahu that Hamas was preparing a major operation.
Netanyahu’s office strongly rejected the report. It described the claim as an “absolute lie” and denied that Netanyahu spoke with the Emirati president.
Opposition Leaders Criticize Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander, criticized Netanyahu over the reported warning. Eisenkot is considered one of his leading rivals in the upcoming October 27 election.
He accused Netanyahu of avoiding responsibility for security failures. Eisenkot also criticized explanations surrounding Netanyahu’s response on the morning of the attack.
“Netanyahu received dozens of warnings for October 7 and ignored them all,” Eisenkot wrote on X. He also declared that the prime minister was unfit for office.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also criticized Netanyahu. Bennett said the prime minister carries personal and direct responsibility for the October 7 deaths.
Bennett argued that Netanyahu should no longer remain in office. His comments added to growing political pressure surrounding the report.
Netanyahu is therefore under fire from major opposition figures ahead of the election. However, his office has rejected the central allegation.
Report Details Alleged Warning
Haaretz reported that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had warned a former Palestinian official. Sinwar allegedly described the planned attack as a “terrifying operation.”
He reportedly compared the planned assault to an “earthquake.” The Palestinian official allegedly passed the information to an Emirati adviser.
The adviser then reportedly informed the UAE president. According to Haaretz, the Emirati leader subsequently contacted Netanyahu.
The newspaper said Netanyahu responded calmly to the alleged warning. The report relied largely on anonymous sources.
Netanyahu’s office has denied that such a conversation took place. The conflicting accounts have become part of the political debate in Israel.
Netanyahu’s Previous Hamas Policy Faces Scrutiny
The report has also renewed questions about Netanyahu’s approach toward Hamas. His government had previously sought to maintain the existing situation with the group.
Hamas received funding through Qatar under arrangements linked to the broader regional situation. Netanyahu’s strategy reportedly relied partly on containing the group rather than pursuing a major confrontation.
Critics now argue that this approach failed to prevent the October 7 attack. The issue remains politically sensitive as Israel continues dealing with its consequences.
The UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020. The agreement was reached through the US-backed Abraham Accords during Donald Trump’s first administration.
Netanyahu has described ties with the UAE as an important achievement. The reported warning has therefore added further political significance to the controversy.
October 7 Attack and Gaza War
Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The assault included mass killings and an attack on a music festival.
According to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, 1,221 people were killed. Hamas fighters also took about 251 hostages to Gaza.
Israel launched a major military campaign in response. The offensive has caused extensive destruction across Gaza.
The Gaza health ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, has reported 73,658 deaths. The United Nations considers the ministry’s casualty figures generally reliable.
The political debate over the October 7 security failures continues in Israel. Netanyahu remains under fire as opposition leaders demand accountability.
The latest report has intensified those calls, although its central claim has been firmly rejected by Netanyahu’s office.
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