Netanyahu didn’t convey UAE’s warning of Operation Aqsa Flood to security chiefs: Report

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly neglected to communicate an alert from the United Arab Emirates regarding the massive operation by Hamas and other Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movements to the heads of the regime's so-called security agencies before October 7, 2023.

The New York Times, citing two individuals with knowledge of the matter, reported on Friday that Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan contacted Netanyahu in late September 2023 to apprise him of the possibility that Hamas was deliberating a significant operation.

The cautionary notice, nevertheless, failed to clarify whether Hamas intended to conduct rocket attacks or execute a ground attack.

Five former high-ranking Israeli officials disclosed to the newspaper that the alert failed to reach the leadership of Israel’s so-called security apparatus.

UAE president’s tip-off to Netanyahu puts Israel ties under new scrutiny

The UAE president directly warned Netanyahu that Hamas was planning a major offensive days before the group launched the al-Aqsa Flood operation, according to a report.

Netanyahu brought together senior security officials on October 1, 2023, to discuss Gaza-related concerns; nevertheless, according to the meeting records scrutinized by the newspaper, he did not heed the Emirati advisory.

The meeting minutes showed that Netanyahu instead advocated for maintaining tranquility in Gaza, and opposed recommendations from certain officials to consider strikes against prominent Hamas leadership.

He asserted that military intervention in Gaza might compromise ongoing initiatives to develop diplomatic partnerships with Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu has refuted claims of receiving the warning after the Israeli Haaretz newspaper first reported the call earlier this month.

The New York Times also reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed later alluded to the September 2023 call in communications with then-CIA Director William Burns, noting that he had forewarned Netanyahu of an emerging threat from Hamas in Gaza or the occupied West Bank.

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