Netanyahu withheld UAE warning of possible Hamas attack: NYT

The newspaper, citing two people familiar with the conversation, reported that Sheikh Mohammed contacted Netanyahu in late September 2023

WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not relay an alleged warning from United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about a possible major Hamas attack to Israel’s top security officials before the October 7, 2023 assault, according to a report by The New York Times.

The newspaper, citing two people familiar with the conversation, reported that Sheikh Mohammed contacted Netanyahu in late September 2023 and warned him that Hamas was considering a significant attack. The warning, however, reportedly did not clarify whether the group was preparing a rocket barrage or a ground operation.

Five former senior Israeli officials told the newspaper that the information did not reach the country’s security leadership.

According to meeting minutes reviewed by The New York Times, Netanyahu held a meeting with senior security officials on October 1 to discuss the situation in Gaza but did not refer to the warning from the UAE president.

Instead, the minutes reportedly show that Netanyahu advocated maintaining calm in Gaza and opposed proposals from some security officials to consider military action against senior Hamas leaders.

The report said Netanyahu was concerned that escalating military operations in Gaza could undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The alleged September conversation has previously been disputed. Netanyahu denied receiving such a warning after Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported earlier this month that the call had taken place.

The New York Times further reported that Sheikh Mohammed later discussed the September 2023 conversation with then-CIA Director William Burns. According to the report, the UAE president said he had warned Netanyahu about a developing threat from Hamas in Gaza or the occupied West Bank.

The report comes amid continued scrutiny of Israel’s security and political leadership over the events preceding the October 7 attack, particularly questions surrounding warnings received before the assault and how they were handled.