Egyptian Intelligence Chief Warned Israel of Major Attack Days Before Oct. 7
Abbas Kamel, then head of Egyptian intelligence, visited Israel 11 days before the October 7th Hamas attacks, carrying an urgent message about developments in Gaza, according to a report by The Atlantic. The Egyptian message warned that Hamas appeared to be preparing for a large-scale assault and that Israel's window to prevent escalation was closing.
The report indicated that Kamel's visit was an attempt to deliver this warning directly, as Cairo perceived signs pointing to a significant escalation in Gaza. The warning not only noted Hamas's movements but also highlighted the limited time Israel had to address the situation before it devolved into conflict. The Egyptian side also recommended economic concessions to Hamas as a means to avoid a wider confrontation.
According to the report, Kamel's personal visit, rather than using usual communication channels, underscored the high-level nature of the warning. A former Israeli official quoted in the report stated that the Egyptian message clearly warned that Gaza could "explode in your faces" if Israeli policy towards the Strip did not change.
The Egyptian approach, as detailed in the report, involved addressing economic conditions in Gaza and offering concessions to Hamas to reduce the likelihood of confrontation. The former Israeli official confirmed that the message directly cautioned that continuing the existing policy could lead to an explosion in Gaza, placing Kamel's visit and his warning within the critical 11-day period preceding the October 7th attacks.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
