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© Jack Guez -Pool / Getty Images
Haaretz says the Israeli PM received a direct warning from the UAE
just ahead of
the assault...
Netanyahu reportedly played down the threat,
saying he believed Hamas was more likely to act in the West Bank and
that Israel was prepared.
The message reportedly reached Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security service, whose then-chief Ronen Bar briefed Netanyahu.
Egyptian intelligence was also reported to have
warned Israel shortly before the attack.
The New York Times later reported that the document closely resembled the October 7 operation. Israeli officials have disputed how seriously the plan was taken and whether it was considered an imminent threat.
Hamas-led gunmen seized an Israeli military vehicle after infiltrating areas of southern Israel during the Oct. 7 attacks. A blueprint for similar attacks was circulating among Israeli leaders long before Hamas struck. Credit: Ahmed Zakot/Reuters
Critics argue the policy ultimately strengthened the group Israel later went to war to destroy. Questions have also been raised over Israel's military response on October 7.
Investigations have suggested that the so-called
'Hannibal
Directive', which permits extreme measures to prevent the
capture of soldiers, may have contributed to Israeli civilian deaths
as forces struck vehicles and other locations where hostages or
civilians may have been present.
Israel's subsequent war in Gaza has killed
more than 73,600 Palestinians, according to the enclave's
Health Ministry.
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