With the upcoming election just weeks away, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is facing fresh accusations of disregarding crucial warnings from Arab allies that could have potentially averted the Hamas-led assaults on October 7, 2023.
According to a new book featured in Israel’s Haaretz newspaper by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed personally contacted Netanyahu 10 days before the attack to alert him about a potential major move by the militant group against Israel.
Eldar, speaking to CBC News at his residence near Tel Aviv, emphasized that Netanyahu received the warning but failed to relay it to key security officials, including the chief of staff, the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad, and the defense minister.
The October 7 attacks resulted in the deadliest toll in Israel’s history, claiming the lives of around 1,200 individuals, including over 800 civilians, with 251 individuals taken captive back into Gaza. Subsequently, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 74,000 people, as per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Eldar disclosed that the UAE’s caution did not specify a date but indicated that Hamas leader Yahiya Sinwar in Gaza was planning something “significant,” based on his sources.
After Haaretz released the claims, other media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic reported that Egypt’s intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, had also issued similar warnings in the days leading up to October 7.
Netanyahu has refuted the allegations, labeling them as fabrications orchestrated by political adversaries and regional actors aiming to derail his reelection prospects when Israelis head to the polls on October 27.
The UAE has neither confirmed nor denied the assertions made in Eldar’s and Yuval’s book, “Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment,” fueling demands from Israelis for a state inquiry into security oversights spanning three years.
This year’s commemorative events for the October 7 victims saw protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv urging accountability from Netanyahu, with placards bearing messages like “No forgiveness for failure, no forgiveness for abandonment,” and “The people will remember Oct. 7 on Oct. 27,” referencing the election.
Eyal Eshel, whose daughter Roni was among those killed, expressed his ongoing grief and frustration, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. He recounted how his daughter, part of a surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz base, had warned of unusual Hamas activities that were disregarded by senior officers.
The reluctance of Netanyahu to convene an independent inquiry has raised questions about his actions, with some analysts speculating that his political strategies may have influenced his response to the warnings from regional allies.
Former Mossad chief Danny Yatom highlighted the misconception that Hamas leader Sinwar did not desire conflict, suggesting it was a critical misjudgment. Yatom also underscored the significance of Netanyahu’s refusal to take responsibility and initiate an impartial inquiry.
As the election approaches, the electorate’s focus on Netanyahu’s handling before, during, and after the October 7 events has intensified, shaping the vote into a referendum on his leadership. Netanyahu has threatened legal action against journalists, including Eldar, who have published the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated.