Egypt Warned Netanyahu of Gaza Attack Multiple Times Before Oct. 7

Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly contacted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three times in the weeks leading up to the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing Arab government officials. The final call, just days before the assault, was an urgent warning about an impending attack from Gaza, following two previous, unheeded warnings.

These warnings, which reportedly included indications of a Hamas offensive, were allegedly not taken seriously by Israeli leadership. The officials suggested that Netanyahu was also informed of Hamas's intentions in a September 2023 meeting with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, but appeared unconvinced. The warnings, however, did not specify the exact timing or scale of the potential attack.

Netanyahu's office did not respond to The Wall Street Journal's inquiries regarding Kamel's calls. Previously, his office had denied any such conversations took place in the months before October 7th. The foreign ministries of Egypt and the UAE also declined to comment.

According to the Arab officials, the first Egyptian warning in June 2023 was vague, cautioning that the situation in Gaza was "explosive" and urging Israel to resume negotiations with Hamas. Kamel reportedly traveled to Israel in September to deliver a more serious warning, stating the situation in Gaza could "explode in everyone's face," but was told by Israeli officials that the situation was under control.

Egyptian and UAE officials also noted changes in the tone and threats from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, as well as increased meetings between Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This revelation comes amid ongoing political controversy in Israel regarding whether Netanyahu received prior intelligence about the October 7th attacks.