Netanyahu ignored advance warnings before October 7th, Haaretz reports

Sep 08, 2026

New reporting from Israel's own press says Benjamin Netanyahu was warned about a coming Hamas attack weeks in advance and did nothing — damning for his government and for the case it built for the war that followed.

  • The UAE's president and Egypt's intelligence chief both warned him a major Hamas operation was being prepared.
  • He reportedly stayed calm, insisted the real threat was the West Bank, and moved forces there instead of to Gaza.
  • Those warnings were reportedly never passed to Shin Bet or Mossad, whose former chiefs now say they would have mobilized if told.
  • Israeli officials say Hamas offered to hand back civilian hostages early on, and the government would not even discuss it.
  • The day after the attack, Netanyahu was already talking about using it to remake the Middle East and take on Iran.

Outlook: Israeli ministers are now floating the same "prevent another October 7th" logic for the West Bank, pointing to more military action there.

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