Ex-Mossad Official Denies Netanyahu Was Warned Before Oct. 7

A former head of the Mossad's Intelligence Division, Eyal Tsir Cohen, has denied reports claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received prior warnings before the Hamas attacks on October 7. Cohen stated that he does not recall any intelligence about warnings from MBZ (likely referring to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the UAE) or Sofian Abu Zayda, nor does he recall a visit from Abbas Kamel (likely referring to the head of Egyptian General Intelligence).

Cohen further elaborated that since the October 7th attacks, he has had numerous meetings and discussions with Abbas Kamel and his staff. During these extensive interactions, Cohen asserted, the issue of prior warnings was never raised, not even in informal conversations. He explicitly stated, "They did not tell us that they had warned."

This denial comes amidst ongoing public and political scrutiny regarding the intelligence failures leading up to the unprecedented attack. Various reports have suggested that different actors, including regional intelligence services, had provided warnings that were allegedly not heeded or properly acted upon by the Israeli leadership.