The UAE Foreign Ministry responded to a report in Haaretz claiming that the president of the United Arab Emirates warned the prime minister of a Hamas attack before October 7.
“The government of the United Arab Emirates does not comment on reports or speculation in the media concerning conversations between leaders. Since October 7, the UAE’s efforts have focused on de-escalation, strengthening regional stability and curbing violence.
“Government officials in the UAE and Israel have maintained open and direct channels of communication since relations were established more than five years ago, and when necessary, all relevant intelligence has been and continues to be exchanged between the relevant parties," the statement said.
According to the report, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed urgently contacted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just a week and a half before the October 7th Massacre and warned him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning large-scale military action.
The report states that in a 45-minute phone conversation at the end of September 2023, Bin Zayid stressed that such an attack is likely to cause widespread bloodshed, undermine regional stability, and harm the Abraham Accords.
The report further claims that despite the severity of the information, Netanyahu responded with restraint. He reportedly claimed that, according to his assessment, Hamas was headed for action in Judea and Samaria, and did not even pass the content of the conversation over to the heads of the security establishment.
The Prime Minister's Office called the report "Total lies! Prime Minister Netanyahu did not speak to the Emirati President during the period in question and did not receive any warning from him."