NYT backs Haaretz claim UAE president warned Netanyahu of Hamas attack before October 7

The New York Times has confirmed a Haaretz report that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu of a major Hamas attack days before October 7, 2023 — a claim the prime minister denies. Haaretz reported that MBZ called Netanyahu about ten days beforehand and spoke with him for 45 minutes.

The NYT said two sources confirmed the account: one who spoke directly with MBZ, and one briefed by a participant in the call. The intelligence did not specify rocket fire or a ground invasion, and its original source is unclear. Minutes of an October 1, 2023 security meeting show Netanyahu did not mention any warning; instead he told officials Israeli action in Gaza could undermine a Saudi normalisation deal, advocated preserving calm, and objected to strikes against senior Hamas figures.

Five former security officials told the NYT the warning never reached the security chiefs and appears in none of the internal IDF or intelligence investigations, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Netanyahu has called the Haaretz report “fabricated” and “false” and said he told lawyers to sue Haaretz, according to Al Jazeera. His office said his call log showed no trace of it: “No warning was given to the Prime Minister from the United Arab Emirates before October 7th. If there was any relevant information, it was passed through intelligence channels between the two countries.” The UAE declined to comment on “speculation”, saying intelligence has always been shared between the relevant entities.