UAE president 'told Netanyahu' of Hamas plan for major 'event' ahead of 7 October 2023
The president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) warned Israel's prime minister weeks before the 7 October attacks that Hamas was planning a major operation, an investigation for a forthcoming book has found.
According to the investigation, which was published by Haaretz on Tuesday, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023, but the Israeli premier dismissed the warning and did not inform Israel's security or military leaders.
The warning was reportedly made during a 45-minute phone call, Haaretz reported.
"The emir explained that, in his assessment, [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar was preparing for a major event," a Gaza-born adviser to the UAE ruler, who was present during the call, said.
"[Bin Zayed] told Netanyahu that Israel should be ready. Concurrently, he recommended trying to find an economic solution for the Strip and calming the West Bank to prevent escalation."
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According to Haaretz, Sinwar had told a Fatah intermediary, known to Israeli intelligence as "coal eyes", in early Septemer 2023 that Israel should expect an "earthquake".
The Israeli news outlet reported that at the time, Sinwar had grown frustrated with Netanyahu after he repeatedly postponed a committee meeting to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israelis held in Gaza.
For several months, Hamas had held talks with intermediaries that focused on gradually lifting the blockade on Gaza, expanding economic opportunities in the strip and exchanging four Israelis held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, including the remains of two soldiers, for Palestinian prisoners.
According to Haaretz, after Sinwar told "coal eyes" that he was "preparing a huge surprise for them [Israel]," coal eyes left the conversation shaken.
The Israeli news outlet reported that "coal eyes" then decided to consult the Palestinian who had emigrated from Gaza to Abu Dhabi and served as a close adviser to bin Zayed.
At a follow-up meeting in mid-September 2023, Sinwar reportedly told coal eyes: "Convey a message to them that I am preparing the mother of all surprises. A terrifying operation. Something extraordinary."
Sinwar's threats were then conveyed to both Israeli officials and the UAE president, and were partly behind Mohammed bin Zayed's warning to Netanyahu.
Haaretz reported that "coal eyes" was a reliable figure and acceptable to both Hamas and the Shin Bet.
Sources have told Middle East Eye that "coal eyes," who is also sometimes known as "black eyes," was Sufyan Abu Zayda, a prominent Palestinian leader from the Fatah movement, born in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza, and a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council.
He served as Minister of Prisoners and Released Detainees Affairs in the Palestinian Authority government from February 2005 until the formation of the Hamas government.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu reportedly reassured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario, and said he believed Hamas intended to operate in the West Bank.
The revelation is contained in an upcoming book titled Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment, by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval.
The details of the phone call are based on three senior foreign sources familiar with its contents.
It has previously been reported by Israeli and international media that Egyptian intelligence also warned Netanyahu of a planned Hamas attack days before it took place.
Then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly warned Netanyahu of "something unusual, a terrifying operation," according to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
Netanyahu reportedly replied: "In Gaza, we are in the picture, we are in control. Our problem is with the West Bank, and that’s where we are also diverting forces."
The Israeli leader has denied that the phone call with the UAE president took place and that he received such a warning.
According to the investigation, Hamas offered to release all civilian captives in the immediate aftermath of the 7 October attack without demanding anything in return.
Israeli officials reportedly rejected the offer.
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