Netanyahu Denies Receiving Egyptian Warning Before October 7 Attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied reports claiming that Egypt provided a specific warning about the October 7th Hamas attack prior to it occurring. In a statement posted on social media, Netanyahu asserted that he did not meet or speak with the head of Egyptian General Intelligence, Abbas Kamel, in the months leading up to the attack, nor did any Israeli intelligence official relay such a warning to him. He further stated that he never meets or speaks with foreign intelligence chiefs without their Israeli counterparts present.

Netanyahu's office announced that a defamation lawsuit would be filed regarding this matter. The Prime Minister also accused the "left-wing media" of conducting a "despicable and false campaign" to shift blame for the failures of October 7th onto him. He specifically targeted Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, alleging that Bar spoke with the then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva about warning signs on the night of the attack but chose not to inform Netanyahu, alert emergency response teams, or evacuate the Nova music festival. Netanyahu suggested this inaction indicated Bar knew of a "real danger."

Netanyahu concluded by claiming that "false blood libels" are being promoted by "hostile foreign states and elements, including Arab countries," with the aim of toppling his right-wing government and replacing it with a left-wing government that would withdraw from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, and establish a Palestinian state. He framed the upcoming elections as a choice between his government or a Palestinian state.

This statement comes amid reports, including one from i24NEWS, that the Egyptian intelligence chief had indeed visited Israel shortly before October 7th and warned of an impending escalation in Gaza. The US administration has also stated it is unaware of any concrete warning from the UAE before the attack.