Egyptian Intelligence Chief Warned Israel of Gaza Attack Before Oct. 7

A report by The Atlantic reveals that Egypt's former intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, made a secret visit to Israel on September 26, 2023, just 11 days before the Hamas attacks of October 7. Kamel reportedly warned that Hamas was preparing for a major offensive and that time was running out to prevent escalation. His chartered Cessna landed at Ben Gurion Airport and departed 67 minutes later. According to sources from seven countries interviewed by The Atlantic, Kamel's objective was to convey an urgent warning about the situation in Gaza, suggesting that Hamas appeared to be organizing a large-scale attack and recommending economic concessions to Israel to de-escalate tensions.

One former Israeli official described Kamel's message as, "Gaza will explode in your face." However, The Atlantic emphasizes that Kamel did not provide a specific date, target, or method for the attack, nor did he present details of the large-scale infiltration that ultimately occurred on October 7. The Prime Minister's Office has previously denied receiving direct or indirect warnings from Egypt prior to the attack. Tzachi Hanegbi, then National Security Advisor, stated to The Atlantic that to his knowledge, Kamel did not visit Israel and no such warning was delivered.

Despite the lack of specific details, the visit itself was considered highly unusual, given Kamel's infrequent trips to Israel. The timing is particularly notable, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War just two hours after Kamel's plane landed. While The Atlantic does not claim Netanyahu met Kamel directly, a former Israeli official suggested that the intelligence chief's brief and unusual visit should have signaled the urgency of the situation.

Intelligence gathered in the weeks leading up to October 7 primarily focused on the possibility of renewed rocket fire from Gaza and spillover into the West Bank. However, intelligence sources within Gaza provided a more alarming picture to Egypt and the UAE, prompting them to warn Israel of a potentially significant Hamas action. An Egyptian source told The Atlantic that President el-Sisi sending his intelligence chief on such a short visit indicated the gravity of the information perceived in Cairo.

Further warnings continued until October 5, two days before the attack, though these also lacked precise details. The UAE's President, Mohammed bin Zayed, also reportedly spoke with Netanyahu in late September, warning him of a potential major Hamas attack, a conversation also reported by Haaretz and confirmed by The Atlantic with multiple sources. Netanyahu has denied this report. The CIA also identified a potential escalation from Hamas in late September, but focused on rocket fire scenarios, not the comprehensive attack that transpired.