Reports from multiple outlets allege Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received advance warnings of a potential Hamas attack, claims his office has repeatedly denied.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting political pressure following a series of media reports alleging he received multiple warnings about a potential Hamas attack before October 7, 2023. These reports, which include claims of secret communications from Egyptian and Emirati leaders, have become a central issue in Israel's upcoming election campaign. Netanyahu’s office has consistently denied the allegations, labeling them as false.

Alleged Warnings from Foreign Leaders

Media reports from The New York Times and Haaretz allege that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed contacted Netanyahu 10 days before the attack to warn that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major assault. According to these reports, Netanyahu responded with calm and assured the Emirati leader that Israel was prepared. Separately, reports from The Atlantic and the Wall Street Journal state that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel 11 days before the attack to warn of an impending threat. The Wall Street Journal further reported that Kamel placed a follow-up call to Netanyahu in the days leading up to the massacre.

Domestic Claims and Official Denials

Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Israeli Army Radio that the Shin Bet agency received a message from Yahya Sinwar weeks before the attack, in which the Hamas leader threatened to "shake the prisons." Opposition leaders have called for investigations into whether the Prime Minister ignored these warnings. The Prime Minister’s Office has rejected these reports, stating that no warnings were provided by the UAE and maintaining that security officials did not adequately inform the Prime Minister of the specific threat.