Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly received advance warning of the Hamas attack that triggered the ongoing Gaza conflict but did not take preventative action, according to an investigative report citing multiple sources. The report, based on a book by Israeli journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, claims that about 10 days before the October 7, 2023, assault, Netanyahu was cautioned during a 45-minute phone call with United Arab Emirates ruler Mohamed bin Zayed.
The warning allegedly stemmed from intelligence shared by late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was reportedly frustrated over stalled prisoner exchange negotiations and the blockade of Gaza. Sinwar is said to have conveyed a message to Israel—“Expect an earthquake”—via intermediaries. According to the report, an adviser to Mohamed bin Zayed told Netanyahu that Israel should be prepared for a large-scale attack. Netanyahu is described as responding calmly that the country was ready for any situation.
Despite this warning, the report asserts that Netanyahu did not notify Israel’s internal intelligence agency Shin Bet or the foreign intelligence service Mossad, nor did he take preventive measures. The October 7 assault by Hamas militants resulted in nearly 2,000 deaths in Israel and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. The subsequent war in Gaza has caused significant casualties, with Palestinian health authorities reporting around 70,000 deaths.
The revelations have sparked calls for an official inquiry from four Israeli opposition leaders—Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan—who demanded answers regarding Netanyahu’s knowledge and response to the impending attack. The opposition questioned why the prime minister did not update security agencies or act to safeguard Israeli civilians.
Netanyahu’s office denied the allegations, labeling the report as false and politically motivated. The prime minister attributed the story to an orchestrated campaign by his left-wing opponents ahead of the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, 2023, and suggested that legal action may follow against those responsible for the claims.
Separately, Michael McCaul, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, said after an intelligence briefing that Egypt had warned Israel about the possibility of a Hamas attack three days before October 7. McCaul declined to disclose classified details but noted the warning had been communicated, raising questions about the level at which it was received and acted upon.
The unfolding debate underscores ongoing scrutiny over Israel’s preparedness and response in the days leading up to one of the deadliest attacks in recent history.