• UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of a planned Hamas operation days before October 7.
• Netanyahu reportedly dismissed the warning and did not inform Israel’s security leaders.
• The warning was made during a 45-minute phone call in late September.
• Hamas executed a deadly attack on October 7, resulting in substantial casualties.
• Netanyahu's response has drawn criticism from political rivals amid upcoming elections.

The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just days before the October 7 attacks that Hamas was planning a major offensive. The warning, conveyed during a 45-minute phone call about 10 days before the attack, indicated that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing for a significant operation, which could lead to destabilization in the region and risk undermining the Abraham Accords, according to Middle East Eye, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Despite the serious warnings, Netanyahu reassured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any eventuality, although he appeared calm during the conversation. Reports indicate he did not take substantive action based on the warning and instead focused on perceived threats from the West Bank rather than Gaza, as detailed in investigations reported by Middle East Eye and India Times.

The upcoming book titled "Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment" recounting these events details multiple instances where Hamas communicated their intent to conduct an operation. Specifically, Sinwar threatened "a formidable operation" if negotiations with Israel did not proceed, citing an "earthquake" to come if the situation failed to improve. This critical information was reportedly conveyed to both Netanyahu and UAE officials, highlighting the severity of the threats from Hamas, as noted by Middle East Eye and Los Angeles Times.

In the aftermath of the attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and numerous hostages, Netanyahu faced escalating political pressure questioning his leadership and response to the warnings. Critics have accused him of ignoring vital intelligence, raising concerns that knowledge of the UAE's warning could have altered the actions of Israeli security agencies, according to statements from former military officials and detailed reports conveyed by India Times and Los Angeles Times.