Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to deny reports that he had warned the Israeli prime minister about an impending operation by the Palestinian movement Hamas in October 2023, the Associated Press reported on Monday, citing sources.

Israeli i24 News presented a different narrative, reporting that Netanyahu's six-hour visit to the UAE focused primarily on Iran.

The request reportedly came after a recent scandal surrounding a Haaretz investigation, which found that Sheikh Mohamed had warned Netanyahu about a planned Hamas operation before October 7, 2023.

According to the investigation, Netanyahu did not relay the warning to then-IOF Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi or to the heads of the security services after the reported conversation.

The Associated Press reported that Netanyahu’s meeting with the UAE president on Sunday lasted approximately one hour and focused on the Haaretz report.

The UAE Foreign Ministry declined to comment on reports concerning the meeting, while stressing that it maintains open and direct channels of communication with “Israel” and shares all relevant intelligence with it.

UAE previously rejected denial 

Earlier in September, the United Arab Emirates declined to deny reports that bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about the operation being planned by Hamas before October 7, 2023, according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

The Israeli newspaper claimed that the UAE had been asked to deny claims that bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu about an operation that Sinwar was preparing ahead of October 7. Abu Dhabi, however, refrained from issuing such a denial.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the UAE instead responded through diplomatic channels to avoid becoming embroiled in "Israel’s" internal political disputes. The newspaper argued that had the UAE not warned Netanyahu, “it would have completely denied the matter.”

In detail

The Haaretz investigation, based on dozens of sources as well as recordings, documents, and internal correspondence, reported that bin Zayed proposed pursuing an economic solution for the Gaza Strip and easing tensions in the West Bank.

The investigation further reported that bin Zayed shared details of the phone call with then-CIA Director William Burns, expressing surprise at Netanyahu’s reserved response. An advisor to the Emirati president also reportedly expressed hope that Netanyahu would take the warning seriously before the operation took place.

Netanyahu reportedly responded calmly to the warning, believing Hamas was planning an operation in the West Bank and maintaining that “Israel” was prepared for all scenarios. The investigation said the UAE warning followed earlier messages from a Palestinian intermediary linked to bin Zayed, who had relayed Sinwar’s warnings of an impending “earthquake” and “massive surprise” to the Shin Bet on September 15.

The warnings were reportedly followed by a September 17 security meeting involving Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, then-War Minister Yoav Gallant and senior officials. On October 1st, Bar reportedly recommended assassinating senior Hamas leaders, including Sinwar, with Netanyahu instructing him to prepare plans.

Despite the reported warning from bin Zayed, the Shin Bet chief, Mossad chief, and military chief were allegedly not informed of the call or its contents.

Read more: Israeli opposition demands probe into what Netanyahu knew pre-Oct 7