The media is in a frenzy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reputation is further plummeting after Haaretz journalists revealed that Netanyahu knew about Hamas’ imminent attack and dismissed it.
But haven’t we heard this before?
This week, journalists from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about a planned attack by Hamas several days before October 7, 2023. This suggests Netanyahu knew well before the "surprise attack" took place.
If this damning news feels familiar, that’s because it’s not the first time journalists have made these allegations. Multiple reports — from Israel as well as international outlets — have been released over the last three years that suggest Netanyahu knew of an incoming attack. Let’s review.
October, 2023
In the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ attack, The Associated Press reported that an Egyptian intelligence official warned Netanyahu that Hamas was planning “something big” three days before the attack.
“We have warned them an explosion of the situation is coming, and very soon, and it would be big. But they underestimated such warnings,” the anonymous official reportedly said.
He claimed Israeli officials instead focused on the West Bank.
