Netanyahu Denies Egyptian Warning, Threatens Defamation Lawsuit

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied reports claiming that the former head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, personally warned him of an impending attack from Gaza prior to the October 7th Hamas massacre. Netanyahu stated that he did not speak with Kamel and that no Egyptian warning was conveyed to him, announcing that he has instructed his office to file a defamation lawsuit over the publication.

The report, which cited unnamed Arab sources and was published by The Wall Street Journal, alleged that Kamel contacted Netanyahu's office in early October 2023, following previous warnings from Cairo to Israel, with messages continuing up to two days before the attack. This contradicts Netanyahu's assertion that he never meets or speaks with foreign intelligence chiefs without Israeli counterparts present.

In parallel with his denial and legal threat, Netanyahu attacked what he termed a "despicable and false campaign" against him, aiming to place blame for the security failures preceding October 7th. He directed criticism at former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, alleging that Bar failed to update him, alert border alert forces, or order the evacuation of the Nova music festival attendees on the night of the attack, despite having received intelligence indicating a significant danger.

Netanyahu suggested that this wave of reporting is politically motivated, timed to coincide with the upcoming elections and intended to undermine his government. He concluded with a political message for the elections, stating, "This is the election question: it's either right-wing, or Palestine."