Egyptian Intelligence Chief Warned Netanyahu of Gaza Attack Before Oct. 7

Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of an impending attack from the Gaza Strip in early October 2023, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing Arab government officials. This warning followed two earlier alerts from Egypt regarding the deteriorating situation in Gaza, which reportedly went unheeded. Egyptian warnings had been ongoing for months prior, with officials informing their Israeli counterparts in June 2023 about the instability in Gaza and urging renewed negotiations with Hamas. These earlier warnings were described as general.

In September 2023, Kamel traveled to Israel with a more direct message, stating that the situation in Gaza was precarious and could erupt. Israeli officials, however, reportedly assured him that the situation was under control. Days before the October 7th attack, Kamel made another call to Netanyahu's office, delivering an additional warning. Egyptian warnings continued up to 48 hours before the attack, though they did not specify a date or the scale of the potential assault.

This report aligns with previous accounts of Egyptian warnings. An investigation by The Atlantic magazine revealed that Kamel made a secret visit to Israel on September 26, 2023, warning Israeli officials of Hamas's preparations for a major offensive. The magazine also reported that Egypt conveyed another message on October 5, 2023, about the possibility of escalation in Gaza.