Egypt Warned Israel of Hamas Attack Days Before October 7

Egypt conveyed multiple warnings to Israel in the months leading up to the October 7 Hamas attack regarding the situation in Gaza and the potential for an offensive, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal. The report indicates that Egypt's then-head of intelligence, Abbas Kamel, contacted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in early October 2023 with a further warning. Egyptian sources claim they continued to alert Israel up to 48 hours before the attack.

However, these warnings were reportedly not specific about the October 7 massacre itself, focusing instead on the risk of escalation and the possibility of a Hamas attack without detailing the timing or scale. The report does not clarify Netanyahu's response to the alleged call from Kamel.

This is not the first report of Arab nations warning Israel prior to the attack. A recent Haaretz investigation claimed that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu in a phone call about a significant Hamas plan about a week and a half before October 7. The New York Times also reported, citing its sources, that bin Zayed had conveyed a warning about a potential large-scale attack to Netanyahu.

Netanyahu denies receiving a personal warning from bin Zayed, and his office stated no such call took place. An official UAE source also dismissed the claim of a security alert being conveyed in a leaders' call, suggesting such matters are handled by professional channels. Netanyahu also denies speaking with Abbas Kamel before the attack.

Beyond the dispute over these specific calls, the reports highlight a broader failure within Israel's security apparatus in assessing Hamas's intentions and preparing for the attack. The claim of Egyptian warnings had surfaced shortly after the October 7 events. In October 2023, then-Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, stated that Egypt had warned Israel three days prior about the possibility of such an event, though he questioned the level at which the warning was delivered. The latest report adds the specific detail of an alleged direct conversation between the Egyptian intelligence chief and Netanyahu.