Former Fatah Official Reveals Role in Pre-October 7 Sinwar Warning
Former Fatah official Sufian Abu Zaida revealed he was "Coal Eyes," the intermediary who received Yahya Sinwar's pre-October 7 earthquake warning, which was passed to Israel via the UAE.
Former Fatah official Sufian Abu Zaida revealed in a Facebook video on Friday that he was the mysterious figure known as "Coal Eyes," who received a direct warning about an impending earthquake from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar weeks before the October 7 massacre.
The Warning from Yahya Sinwar
According to details previously reported by journalist Shlomi Eldar, Sinwar held a closed-door meeting with Abu Zaida in September 2023. During the conversation, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip demanded that a clear message be delivered to Israel. "Tell the Israelis that if they do not move forward, I am preparing a huge surprise for them," Sinwar stated, using the keyword "zilzal" (earthquake), a rare and ominous hint that should have triggered red alarms within the Israeli intelligence community.
Abu Zaida left the meeting deeply shaken. Fearing direct contact with the Shin Bet due to potential accusations of collaboration, yet terrified of the consequences if the warning was ignored, he consulted a close friend—a Palestinian expatriate in Abu Dhabi serving as an adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Consequently, the critical intelligence was funneled directly to the Emirati leadership.
"Tell them I am preparing a surprise from the land of surprises. A terrifying operation. Something extraordinary," Sinwar reportedly told Abu Zaida during a follow-up meeting in mid-September 2023, reiterating the code word for earthquake.
Emirati Warning to Benjamin Netanyahu
Following the second meeting, Abu Zaida rushed out of the Gaza Strip to meet the adviser in Abu Dhabi face-to-face. After analyzing Sinwar's body language, tone, and context, the two concluded that the Hamas leader was not issuing empty threats but preparing for total war. Prompted by this assessment, the UAE leadership directly warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the impending assault.
In his video statement, Abu Zaida also noted that extensive indirect contacts had taken place between Israel and Hamas prior to October 7 regarding a potential prisoner exchange deal. The proposed arrangement aimed to secure the release of four Israeli captives and remains held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the lifting of the blockade, and the resolution of severe infrastructure crises in the enclave. Abu Zaida promised to release further details in the coming days.
