Egyptian Intelligence Chief Warned Israel of Gaza Attack 11 Days Before Oct. 7

A secret visit by Egypt's then-General Intelligence Directorate chief, Abbas Kamel, to Israel on September 26, 2023, revealed a warning about Hamas's preparations for a major attack and a potential escalation in Gaza, according to an investigation by The Atlantic. Kamel reportedly arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on a chartered Cessna linked to Egyptian intelligence and departed after just 67 minutes.

Kamel, a close confidant of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, conveyed to Israeli officials that Hamas appeared ready for a significant assault and advised economic measures to de-escalate tensions in Gaza. One former Israeli official quoted in the report stated the Egyptian message was, "If you don't change direction, Gaza will explode in your faces." However, the warning lacked specific details about the attack's timing, targets, or methods.

It remains unclear whom Kamel met with during his brief visit, though officials from seven countries suggested his personal trip should have alerted Israeli political and security leadership. The report notes that Egyptian warnings continued, with another message sent on October 5, 2023, two days before the attack, expressing concern about potential escalation in Gaza, though again without specific timing or execution details.

Following the October 7 attacks, the Prime Minister's Office in Israel denied receiving any direct Egyptian warning, stating Benjamin Netanyahu had not communicated with the Egyptian intelligence chief since the government's formation. The Atlantic also reported that neither Netanyahu's nor el-Sisi's offices responded to inquiries about Kamel's visit. Tzachi Hanegbi, then-head of Israel's National Security Council, denied Kamel's visit and any such Egyptian warnings.

Despite these denials, numerous Israeli, Egyptian, Arab, American, and European officials confirmed the visit and the Egyptian warnings to The Atlantic after October 7. The investigation does not suggest Egypt had detailed knowledge of the October 7 plan but highlights the significance of Kamel's personal visit and warnings, raising new questions about Israel's handling of pre-attack intelligence.