Reports: Netanyahu Reportedly Got Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings, Including From UAE
New reporting from The Atlantic and The New York Times describes multiple warnings Israel reportedly received before the October 7 Hamas attack, including one from the UAE leader said to have never reached Israel's security establishment.
What happened
The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by the leader of the United Arab Emirates about a potential Hamas attack before October 7, but the warning lacked specific details and never reached the chiefs of Israel's security establishment, according to Israeli officials.2
The Atlantic reported that Israel received repeated warnings about escalating Hamas activity in the weeks before the attack, including a visit to Israel by Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.13
Kamel arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on September 26, 2023, aboard a Cessna chartered by Egypt's intelligence service, 11 days before October 7, and warned that Hamas was preparing a major attack.13
According to meeting minutes cited by the New York Times, Netanyahu pushed to maintain calm in Gaza, citing Saudi normalization prospects; the Times of Israel additionally reported he pushed back on security chiefs' proposals to target Hamas officials, without mentioning the UAE warning he had received.45
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Whether Netanyahu received and failed to relay a UAE warning before October 7
Israeli officials, via The New York Times
Netanyahu was warned by the leader of the UAE about a possible Hamas attack, but the warning lacked specific details and never reached the chiefs of Israel's security establishment.2
Anadolu Agency, citing The New York Times
Netanyahu failed to relay the UAE warning to security chiefs; meeting minutes show he pushed to maintain calm in Gaza, citing Saudi normalization prospects.4
The Times of Israel, citing The New York Times
Netanyahu reportedly feared Gaza strikes would undermine Saudi talks, and pushed back on security chiefs' proposals to target Hamas officials without mentioning the UAE warning.5
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Israeli private pressMiddle East & Turkey | Israeli outlets focus on the internal decision-making of Netanyahu, including his prioritization of Gaza calm and Saudi talks over acting on warnings.5 | Netanyahu's internal calculus, Saudi normalization talks, security chiefs' proposals |
| Turkish state-controlled mediaMiddle East & Turkey | Anadolu Agency's headline states Netanyahu did not relay the UAE warning to security chiefs, citing meeting minutes showing he pushed for calm and prioritized Saudi normalization prospects.4 | failure to relay warning, meeting minutes, Saudi normalization prospects |
| Middle East-based outlets covering The Atlantic's reportingMiddle East & Turkey | Jerusalem Post and Arab News center on The Atlantic's account of Egypt's intelligence chief warning, detailing the unusual nature and timing of his visit.13 | Egyptian intelligence warning, unusual visit details, timing near Yom Kippur War anniversary |
| US outletsNorth America | The New York Times centers on the UAE warning to Netanyahu specifically and the breakdown in its transmission to Israel's security establishment.2 | UAE leader's warning, breakdown in communication to security chiefs, lack of specific details in warning |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported a direct response from Netanyahu's office to these accounts.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed what, if any, action Israeli security chiefs might have taken had they received the UAE warning.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported comment from the UAE government on the described warning.
- None of the outlets reviewed specified further details of Egypt's warning beyond it being about a major Hamas attack.
Why it matters
Sources (5)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
North America
- 2The New York TimesUSPrivate
Netanyahu Said to Have Been Warned by Emirati Leader About Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7
Middle East & Turkey
- 1The Jerusalem PostILPrivate
Egyptian intelligence chief visited Israel days before Oct. 7 to issue security warning - report
- 3Arab NewsSAPrivate
Israel received repeated warnings before October 7 attack, says The Atlantic
- 4Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Netanyahu failed to relay UAE warning of possible Hamas attack to security chiefs: NYT
- 5The Times of IsraelILPrivate
Despite pre-Oct. 7 warning, PM reportedly feared Gaza strikes would undermine Saudi talks