by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has filed defamation lawsuits against several Israeli media outlets and journalists over reports alleging that he received warnings from Egyptian and Emirati officials ahead of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel.
Netanyahu’s Likud party announced Tuesday that lawsuits were filed against Haaretz, Ynet, Channel 12, and six journalists and commentators, challenging reports that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Netanyahu that Hamas was preparing for a major attack.
Netanyahu has categorically denied receiving such warnings. Regarding Egypt, he said he neither met nor spoke with Kamel in the months before October 7 and that no Israeli intelligence official conveyed an Egyptian warning to him.
The dispute has intensified as Israel approaches elections and questions surrounding responsibility for the October 7 intelligence and security failures return to the center of the political debate. Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has separately disputed Netanyahu’s account, arguing that warnings about the deteriorating security situation had been raised before the attack.
The lawsuits seek approximately NIS 2.6 million ($800,000) in damages, according to Israeli media reports.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
