A recently published book by Haaretz journalists asserts that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally warned of an impending Hamas operation approximately one week prior to the October 7, 2023 attack. According to the reporting, the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, communicated this intelligence to Netanyahu during a 45-minute secure phone call, expressing concern that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a significant offensive that could destabilize the region. The book, titled Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment, draws on dozens of sources including high-ranking officials from Israel and internationally.
The allegations have intensified scrutiny on Netanyahu’s handling of security matters preceding the October 7 attack. Hamas’s offensive resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and took 251 people hostage. Subsequently, hundreds of Israelis have been killed in ongoing military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, while the Israeli retaliatory campaign has devastated Gaza and resulted in more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths.
Netanyahu has categorically rejected the book’s claims, characterizing them as an “absolute lie” and denying that he spoke with the Emirati leader at the time in question. However, the allegations have galvanized opposition leaders ahead of elections scheduled for October, who are calling for accountability. Opposition figures, including former military commander Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, have demanded investigation into what Netanyahu knew, when he knew it, and what protective measures he implemented.
Opposition parties have emphasized that establishing an independent state commission of inquiry into the security failures would be a top priority if elected. Netanyahu’s government has resisted such calls for a court-appointed investigative body. The mounting pressure reflects broader Israeli public frustration over the circumstances that allowed the attack to proceed despite apparent advance warnings.
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