Jerusalem:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not communicate a warning from United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about a potential Hamas attack to Israel's security leaders before October 7, 2023.

According to Anadolu Agency , the New York Times reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed contacted Netanyahu in late September 2023 to warn him about Hamas considering a significant attack. However, the details of the warning did not specify the nature of the potential attack, whether it would involve rocket fire or a ground assault.

The warning did not reach the heads of Israel's security establishment, as noted by five former senior Israeli officials. Netanyahu held a meeting with security chiefs on October 1 to discuss Gaza but did not mention the warning from the UAE, based on meeting minutes reviewed by the New York Times. Instead, Netanyahu advocated for maintaining calm in Gaza and opposed suggestions from some security officials to conduct strikes against senior Hamas figures, arguing that such military actions could threaten diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu has denied receiving the warning, following a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz earlier this month about the alleged call. The New York Times also reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed mentioned the September 2023 call during a conversation with then-CIA Director William Burns, stating he had warned Netanyahu of a looming threat from Hamas in Gaza or the West Bank.