Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to lobby Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed to publicly deny reports that Abu Dhabi warned Israel in advance of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, according to reporting by the Associated Press, Haaretz, and regional outlets.
Netanyahu’s Unannounced Abu Dhabi Trip
Netanyahu departed Ben Gurion Airport shortly after noon on a private jet for a trip lasting roughly four hours, according to reporting confirmed by two people briefed on the visit. The Israeli prime minister engaged in an hour-long, one-on-one meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. According to an Associated Press source with firsthand information, Netanyahu specifically asked the Emirati leader to reject a September report published by Haaretz. That report, drawn from an upcoming book, stated that bin Zayed had directly warned Netanyahu that Israel should prepare for a major Hamas operation and urged him to find an economic solution in Gaza and calm tensions in the West Bank.
Differing Accounts and Regional Warnings
Netanyahu’s office has consistently denied receiving any pre-attack warnings from the UAE. Following the initial Haaretz publication, the prime minister’s office suggested the source of the story was Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled Fatah politician and UAE ally. The UAE Foreign Ministry declined to comment directly on the meeting details, though it noted the nation maintains open lines of communication with Israel and shares relevant intelligence. Meanwhile, other outlets have reported parallel warnings from Egypt. The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic reported that Abbas Kamel warned Netanyahu. Congressman Michael McCaul also stated publicly a week after the attacks that U.S. lawmakers were briefed on a three-day advance warning from Egypt.
Political Stakes Ahead of Israeli Elections
The diplomatic friction unfolds approximately one month before hotly contested Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, 2026. Responsibility for the security failures preceding October 7 remains a central campaign issue as opposition parties coordinate efforts to unseat Netanyahu. Simultaneously, the Central Elections Committee voted to ban the country’s two main Arab-majority political lists from the parliamentary vote, a decision subject to Supreme Court review. Netanyahu continues to face intense domestic pressure regarding his handling of pre-attack intelligence and his refusal to establish an independent state commission of inquiry.
Did you know? The UAE Foreign Ministry stated in May that any unannounced visits or undisclosed security arrangements are unfounded unless officially confirmed by relevant Emirati authorities, following earlier public disputes between the two governments over high-level meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pre-Attack Warnings
Did the UAE warn Israel before the October 7 attack?
Haaretz reported based on an upcoming book that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of an impending Hamas operation, an account Netanyahu’s office has repeatedly denied.
What was the purpose of Netanyahu’s recent UAE visit?
According to the Associated Press, Netanyahu traveled to Abu Dhabi to ask Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to publicly deny the reports that the UAE gave advance warning of the attack.
Have other countries been reported as issuing warnings to Israel?
Yes. The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic reported that Abbas Kamel warned Israeli leadership.
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