Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a report from the Haaretz newspaper that alleges he ignored a high-level warning about a planned Hamas attack just days before the October 7 assault in 2023.  

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the German government, the EU, the US and some Arab states.

Netanyahu says he has instructed his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against Haaretz, accusing the newspaper of timing the report to influence Israel's October 27 election.

Haaretz says it stands by its reporting, which claims Netanyahu received a personal warning from United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, but did not inform Israel's security chiefs or take any action in response.

What's the reaction in Israel, and what would it mean for Netanyahu if the Haaretz reporting proved true? DW Middle East analyst Shani Rozanes shares her insights.