Overview
- Haaretz published an excerpt on Sept. 8, 2026 saying the UAE president phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 for about 45 minutes to warn of a planned ‘zilzal’ or ‘earthquake’ operation by Hamas.
- The Prime Minister’s Office issued an immediate denial, calling the report false and saying Netanyahu did not speak to the Emirati president during the period described.
- Israeli security agency Shin Bet is reported to have received related warnings in mid‑September 2023, including a message on Sept. 15, and to have briefed Netanyahu while urging stronger offensive or defensive steps that were not taken before Oct. 7.
- Opposition figures such as Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have used the report to press demands for political accountability and to question Netanyahu’s fitness to lead ahead of the Oct. 27, 2026 election.
- The Haaretz account relies mainly on anonymous intermediaries and a forthcoming book excerpt and lacks independent confirmation from the UAE, leaving the claim disputed but likely to prompt further probes and shape voter views.