Egyptian Intelligence Chief Warned Israel of Imminent Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7

The head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, made a secret visit to Israel just 11 days before the October 7th Hamas attack, warning that Hamas was preparing for a major offensive and that time was running out to prevent escalation. This revelation comes from a comprehensive investigation by The Atlantic, based on interviews with dozens of Israeli, Egyptian, Arab, American, and European sources.

Kamel reportedly arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on September 26, 2023, on a chartered Cessna linked to Egyptian intelligence. The aircraft remained in Israel for only 67 minutes before returning to Cairo. While the specific individuals Kamel met with were not disclosed, the purpose of his visit was to convey an urgent warning about the situation in Gaza. Sources indicated Kamel stated Hamas appeared to be organizing for a large-scale attack and suggested Israel offer economic concessions to Hamas to try and avert conflict. One former Israeli official described Kamel's message as, "Gaza will blow up in your face." However, The Atlantic emphasizes that Kamel did not provide a specific date, target, or details about Hamas's operational methods, nor did he present a picture of the large-scale infiltration that ultimately occurred.

Despite the urgency conveyed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denied receiving any direct or indirect warning from Egypt in the days following the October 7th massacre. Furthermore, Tzachi Hanegbi, who was then National Security Advisor, stated that to his knowledge, Kamel did not visit Israel and no such warning was issued. The Atlantic notes that the offices of Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi did not respond to inquiries regarding this newly revealed visit.

Intelligence gathered in the weeks leading up to October 7th primarily focused on the possibility of renewed rocket fire from Gaza and spillover violence 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. Egyptian sources explained that President el-Sisi sending Kamel on such a brief, unusual visit indicated the gravity of the information perceived in Cairo.

Further warnings continued until October 5th, just two days before the attack. While these later messages also lacked precise details, they conveyed a sense of urgency. The UAE's President Mohamed bin Zayed also reportedly spoke with Netanyahu in late September, warning him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major attack, and also recommended economic measures for Gaza. This conversation was reportedly confirmed by multiple sources to The Atlantic, though Netanyahu's office denied the report. The US intelligence community also noted some escalation, but internal reports focused on rocket fire scenarios rather than the comprehensive attack that occurred.