Netanyahu Sues Haaretz Over Report He Was Warned of Hamas Attack Before October 7

TEL AVIV - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced legal action against the newspaper Haaretz over a report claiming that United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed warned him about a planned Hamas attack days before October 7, 2023.

According to the Haaretz report, bin Zayed spoke with Netanyahu about 10 days before the attack and warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major operation that could destabilise the region.

Netanyahu has strongly denied the report, saying he did not speak with the UAE president during the period in question and received no such warning. His office described the report as false and politically motivated. 

Netanyahu has accused Haaretz and the journalists behind the report of publishing fabricated claims and said he would pursue a defamation case against them.

Haaretz, however, has stood by its reporting, which was based on multiple sources and material cited by its journalists. The UAE has not confirmed the alleged conversation, saying it does not comment on speculation about discussions between government leaders. 

The dispute has reignited debate in Israel over whether Netanyahu and the country's security establishment received warnings before the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. 

GAROWE ONLINE