The Israeli political landscape is witnessing renewed calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign, following a controversial report regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Allegedly, the United Arab Emirates had cautioned Netanyahu about the impending operation. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly communicated with Netanyahu approximately ten days before the attack, after receiving intelligence about Hamas’s plans. Netanyahu’s office has vehemently denied these claims, labeling the report as false and asserting that no such conversation occurred.
This report has amplified the criticism against Netanyahu, focusing on security lapses linked to the October 7 incident. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has accused Netanyahu of disregarding consistent warnings, while former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has asserted that Netanyahu should accept direct responsibility and step down from his position. The report also mentions that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had referred to the planned operation as an “earthquake.” The warning is believed to have been communicated through a former Palestinian official and an Emirati adviser before reaching UAE leadership.
The UAE and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since the Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States in 2020. Netanyahu has long hailed these accords as a significant foreign policy success. However, the current allegations and their potential implications pose a challenge to the perceived stability and trust within these diplomatic ties.
The attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,221 individuals in southern Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages, according to official Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza. Data from the Gaza Health Ministry indicates that more than 73,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and extensive destruction has occurred across the territory.