Amidst fresh allegations of a security oversight, Israeli opposition leaders are intensifying their demands for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign. This follows claims that the United Arab Emirates warned Netanyahu of an impending Hamas attack shortly before the deadly assault on October 7, 2023. According to reports, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan communicated with Netanyahu approximately ten days before the attack, after receiving intelligence about Hamas’s plans for a significant operation. However, Netanyahu’s office has firmly denied these allegations, labeling the report as false and asserting that no such conversation occurred.
The controversy has amplified the criticism directed at Netanyahu regarding the security lapses tied to the October 7 incident. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has accused the prime minister of neglecting repeated warnings, while former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has stated that Netanyahu is directly accountable and should step down from his position. The report also alleges that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar referred to the planned operation as an “earthquake.” This warning reportedly reached the UAE leadership through a former Palestinian official and an Emirati adviser.
The UAE, which established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords, has been considered a significant foreign-policy achievement by Netanyahu. The strategic relationship between Israel and the UAE was seen as a pivotal diplomatic milestone, enhancing regional cooperation and stability.
The attack on October 7 was a devastating blow to Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,221 people in the southern part of the country and the abduction of 251 hostages, according to official Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, where the Gaza Health Ministry has reported that over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and substantial portions of the territory have been left in ruins.