Egypt Warned Israel of Hamas Attack Days Before Oct. 7

A report published by The Atlantic reveals that Egypt's then-head of intelligence, Abbas Kamel, made a brief, urgent visit to Israel on September 26, 2023, just 11 days before the Hamas attack. Kamel landed at Ben Gurion Airport for a visit lasting only 67 minutes, with the primary purpose of delivering a stark warning to Israel about Hamas's preparations for a major offensive from Gaza.

According to the report, which cites Israeli, Egyptian, Arab, American, and European sources briefed after the October 7th attack, Kamel conveyed a direct message: "If you don't change course, Gaza will explode in your face. The window of opportunity to prevent disaster is closing." While the warning did not specify a date or exact method for the attack, Kamel also suggested offering economic incentives to Hamas to de-escalate the situation. The urgency of the message was underscored by Kamel's personal visit, which Egyptian sources interpreted as President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's direct instruction for Kamel to deliver the warning himself.

Egyptian warnings reportedly continued until just two days before the October 7th attack. Kamel's visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, a surprise attack that became a symbol of intelligence failures. Shortly after Kamel's departure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, referencing the Yom Kippur War's lessons and stating Israel would not underestimate any threat.

The report also adds to previous claims that Netanyahu received a warning from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed days before the attack. According to The New York Times, Netanyahu did not mention this conversation during a security discussion on October 1st, reportedly to maintain calm and avoid a preemptive strike. The Times also noted that bin Zayed later mentioned this warning to then-CIA Director William Burns.

While Egypt's warnings were previously alluded to, this report provides further details. Initial reports from Egyptian officials shortly after October 7th claimed Israel had been warned multiple times but did not give the warnings sufficient weight, claims that Netanyahu then dismissed as "completely false." The Likud party responded to the latest report by calling it a "flood of false publications by mobilized left-wing journalists" aiming to destabilize the government. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu, stating the accumulated evidence shows he "blindly, arrogantly, and irresponsibly led the State of Israel to the greatest disaster in its history."