Netanyahu Warned Before Oct. 7 Hamas Attack: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally warned more than a week before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that the militant group was preparing a major operation, according to a new book by Haaretz journalists. The book, Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment, claims UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a 45-minute phone call to Netanyahu from Abu Dhabi to relay the warning, but the Israeli leader did nothing with the information. The October 7 Hamas attack killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, triggering the deadliest war in Israel's history.

What the New Book Claims

Haaretz reporters Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuva based the revelations on interviews with dozens of sources in Israel and abroad, including senior officials and a Palestinian adviser to bin Zayed. In September 2023, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly met a Fatah official code-named 'Coal Eyes.' Sinwar expressed frustration over stalled Israel-Hamas talks and said: 'Tell the Israelis that if they don't make progress, I have a huge surprise in store for them. Tell them to expect a zilal, an earthquake.'

The Fatah official initially hesitated to alert Israeli security services, fearing he would be accused of colluding with Sinwar. Instead, he shared the warning with bin Zayed. After bin Zayed sought clarification, Sinwar reportedly confirmed he was preparing 'a terrifying operation.' The UAE president then called Netanyahu directly.

Netanyahu's Response and Denial

According to the book, bin Zayed told Netanyahu he feared a major Hamas attack would cause not only bloodshed but destabilization across the region. To the Emirati leader's surprise, Netanyahu reacted calmly and said Israel was prepared for any scenario. Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed to the authors that bin Zayed was deeply concerned in the months before the war, saying: 'He spoke with me often about it. The emir seemed to sense the region was about to explode.'

Netanyahu's office dismissed the report as an 'absolute lie,' insisting the phone call never took place. The prime minister has repeatedly blamed the military and intelligence services for the October 7 failures and has refused to establish an independent inquiry.

Political Fallout Ahead of Israel's Election

The allegations surface just seven weeks before Israel's 2026 general election, making the timing politically explosive. Opposition leaders including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Yair Golan have called Netanyahu 'unfit' and demanded he account for ignoring warnings. For years, a large part of the Israeli public has demanded an independent investigation into the October 7 failures, but Netanyahu has blocked such efforts.

Because Netanyahu has never accepted responsibility for the attack, the claim that he had prior knowledge and failed to act could shake even his loyal Likud base. If the warning is verified, it would mark one of the most severe accountability crises of his political career.

A Pattern of Missed Warnings

This is not the first report that Israel had advance information about a possible Hamas attack. The New York Times revealed earlier that Israeli officials obtained detailed Hamas attack plans more than a year before October 7, but dismissed them as unrealistic. The Israeli army itself concluded that it had misjudged Hamas's intentions for years, assuming the group was not interested in a large-scale war. Signals on the day before the attack were also ignored.

Egyptian intelligence reportedly warned Israel in the days before the attack as well. The new Haaretz book adds an even more direct layer: that the warning reached Netanyahu personally from a foreign head of state, and he chose not to act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Netanyahu warned before the October 7 attack?

According to a new book by Haaretz reporters, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about 10 days before the attack. Netanyahu denies the call took place.

What did the UAE president reportedly tell Netanyahu?

He reportedly said Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a 'terrifying operation' he called an 'earthquake,' and warned of regional destabilization.

How many people were killed on October 7, 2023?

About 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza.

Has Netanyahu accepted responsibility for the October 7 failures?

No, he has blamed the military and intelligence services and has refused an independent inquiry.

Why is this report significant now?

It comes seven weeks before Israel's election and could influence public opinion about Netanyahu's leadership.