UAE says it does not comment on reports about government leaders’ talks

The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that it does not comment on media reports or speculation about talks by government leaders, following an Israeli report alleging that the UAE warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

"The UAE Government does not comment on media stories or speculation regarding conversations between government leaders," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the US social media company X.

Since Oct. 7, the UAE’s efforts have "consistently" focused on de-escalation, promoting regional stability and preventing violence, it noted.

"UAE and Israeli government entities have maintained open and direct lines of communication since the inception of the relationship more than five years ago," it stressed.

Relevant authorities have communicated and continue to communicate all pertinent intelligence "when necessary," the Emirates officials added.

The statement did not specify which media reports it was referencing.

Earlier Tuesday, however, the Haaretz newspaper in Israel alleged that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu during a call Sept. 23, 2023, of the intention of Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, to carry out an attack.

Netanyahu ignored the warning and did not pass the information on to senior officials in the security establishment, according to the newspaper.

Netanyahu’s office denied the report Tuesday, saying he did not speak with the UAE president that day and did not receive any warning from bin Zayed.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also said Tuesday that he had information indicating Netanyahu received warnings ahead of the attack, including one from the UAE president.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid likewise spoke of warnings issued before the attack.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israeli military bases and settlements along the Gaza border, killing and capturing Israelis, in response to daily crimes by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian people and their holy sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israel's deadly offensive in Gaza since Oct. 8, 2023, has killed more than 73,000 and wounded over 174,000. The military operation has caused massive damage, affecting around 90% of the enclave's civilian infrastructure.