New Revelations Surface: How UAE and Regional Warnings Were Handled Ahead of October 7

As the region continues to grapple with the deep, lingering impacts of the October 7, 2023 massacres, the political and intelligence fallout in Israel shows no signs of slowing down. 

Even as we look back from today in September 2026, the question of who knew what—and when—remains one of the most contentious subjects in Israeli politics.

A bombshell investigative report published by Haaretz thrust these questions back into the spotlight, detailing how the United Arab Emirates reportedly reached out directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just days before the attacks to sound the alarm.

The 45-Minute Phone Call That Ignited a Political Storm

According to the Haaretz investigation, UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) held an urgent, 45-minute phone conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu shortly before Hamas launched its devastating assault.

The background to the call reportedly began in September 2023, when then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar used a Palestinian intermediary—someone with ties to both Hamas and Israeli security officials—to pass along chilling messages. Sinwar allegedly warned that he was preparing a “zilzal” (earthquake), later describing his plans as “the mother of all surprises” and “a terrifying operation.”

This intelligence made its way to the UAE leadership and, by mid-September, to the Shin Bet. While Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar briefed Netanyahu and defense officials discussed the rising tensions, the response from the political echelon was far from aggressive action. In fact, a security assessment ended without any major decisions being made.

Sensing that Israel wasn’t taking the looming threat seriously enough, MBZ decided to bypass standard channels and call Netanyahu directly. During their conversation, the UAE president reportedly warned that Sinwar was plotting a massive operation that would lead to catastrophic bloodshed, destabilize the entire region, and threaten the hard-won Abraham Accords.

Netanyahu reportedly dismissed the gravity of the warning, maintaining his belief that Hamas was primarily focused on the West Bank and reassuring the UAE leader that Israel was fully prepared for any scenario.

Compounding the issue, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel allegedly made a similar warning around the same time, telling Netanyahu that Hamas was planning something unusual and terrifying. Once again, the warnings were met with a dismissive response that Israel had the situation in Gaza under control.

Fallout and Denials

The Haaretz report sent immediate shockwaves through Israel’s political landscape. Crucially, former defense and intelligence chiefs—including former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and former IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi—stated they were never informed about the direct warning delivered by the UAE president.

The Prime’s Minister’s Office vehemently denied the report, calling it an "absolute lie" and insisting that Netanyahu never spoke with the UAE president during that period and received no such warning.

However, the Prime Minister's denials were swiftly challenged by political heavyweights. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett stepped forward, telling media outlets that he "knew for a fact the report is true." Bennett didn't hold back, arguing that Netanyahu’s long-standing policy toward Hamas blinded him to the reality on the ground.

"Netanyahu led us blindly straight into this terrible disaster," 

Bennett claimed, asserting that any other leader would have rushed to the southern border, increased defenses, and convened security chiefs at the first sign of such a specific threat.

Gadi Eisenkot, a prominent opposition figure, echoed those sentiments, pointing to the report as further proof that a state commission of inquiry is desperately needed. Eisenkot promised that his faction would push aggressively for an independent investigation to uncover the full truth of what the prime minister knew and why those warnings were allegedly sidelined.

Where Things Stand Today

Years after that fateful autumn in 2023, the debate over accountability is as fierce as ever. For the families of victims, survivors, and the Israeli public at large, the search for transparency isn't just about politics—it’s about ensuring systemic failures are brought to light so they never happen again.

As public pressure mounts and calls for a formal state inquiry grow louder, these investigative reports serve as a painful reminder of the blind spots at the very top of leadership, and the heavy price paid when warnings go unheeded.