Egypt Warned Israel of Hamas Attack 11 Days Before Oct. 7

Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel approximately 11 days before the October 7th Hamas attack, landing at Ben Gurion Airport for a 67-minute visit. According to a new investigation by "The Atlantic," Kamel carried a warning from Egypt about a large-scale escalation planned by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The investigation, which cited Israeli, Egyptian, Arab, American, and European officials briefed on the visit after October 7th, reported that Kamel informed Israeli officials that Hamas was moving towards a major offensive and that the window to prevent a catastrophe was closing.

A former Israeli official told "The Atlantic" that the Egyptian message was clear: "If Israel does not change its course, Gaza will explode in your face." While Kamel did not provide a specific date or details of the attack's execution, he suggested economic incentives for Hamas to de-escalate the situation. The significance of Kamel's visit, according to officials interviewed, lay not only in the warning itself but also in the high level of the Egyptian official who personally traveled to Israel. An Egyptian official told "The Atlantic" that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wanted Kamel to "go himself and tell them" that the situation required attention.

Kamel's visit was not the only warning Egypt conveyed. On October 5th, Egypt sent another message stating that the situation in Gaza was unsustainable. U.S., Egyptian, and Israeli sources indicated that Cairo continued to pass on warnings even two days before the attack.