UAE President Warned Netanyahu of Hamas Attack Days Before October 7

In early September 2026, major news outlets reported that the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a possible Hamas attack just days before October 7, 2023. The warning, according to reports, was delivered personally by phone and described as urgent and explicit.

The new information reportedly comes from an investigation by Israeli media, which claims the UAE leader reached out in hopes of preventing a major escalation in the region. The story has reignited scrutiny of the Israeli government's actions and decision-making in the lead-up to the deadly Hamas attack that shocked Israel and the world.

According to the Times of Israel and other outlets, the UAE president called Netanyahu in late September 2023. The conversation reportedly lasted 45 minutes. During the call, the Emirati leader urged Netanyahu to take the threat from Hamas seriously, warning that an attack could destabilize the region.

NDTV and Middle East Eye reported that despite the warning, Netanyahu did not share the information with Israeli intelligence services or other top officials. The reports suggest he took no visible action to prepare for or prevent the attack.

On September 8, 2026, these claims were made public through a series of investigative articles. The story quickly gained traction in Israeli and international media, prompting widespread debate about the government's readiness ahead of October 7, 2023.

Some outlets, such as DER SPIEGEL, noted that Netanyahu's office has categorically rejected the investigation, calling it false and denying that such a warning was ignored. The Israeli opposition and public figures have demanded further clarification from the prime minister about the reported call and the government's actions.

The controversy has added pressure on Netanyahu, who was already facing criticism for the events surrounding the October 7 attack.

As of now, the Israeli government firmly denies the allegations, labeling the reports as lies. There is no official confirmation from the UAE regarding the details of the call or the content of the warning.

The story remains a major point of contention within Israeli politics, fueling debate over whether intelligence failures or leadership decisions contributed to the surprise and scale of the Hamas attack. Calls for further investigation and transparency continue.

Observers are waiting to see if more evidence will surface to clarify what was said between the UAE president and Netanyahu. The possibility of parliamentary or independent inquiries into the government's actions before October 7 is being discussed in Israeli media.