Netanyahu Denies Egyptian Intelligence Warning of October 7 Attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Egypt's then-intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, contacted him in early October 2023 to warn of an impending attack from Gaza. Netanyahu announced on his X account that he intends to sue the newspaper for libel, stating that no such meeting or conversation occurred between him and Kamel in the months preceding October 7, nor was any such Egyptian warning conveyed to him by Israeli intelligence. The Prime Minister's office asserted that the report is part of a "vile and false" media campaign, allegedly backed by foreign states, aimed at blaming Netanyahu for failures preceding the Hamas attack. The report alleged this was the third Egyptian warning, with two prior warnings allegedly ignored by Israel. According to the report, the first warning in June 2023 was vague, suggesting the situation in Gaza was volatile and encouraging renewed negotiations with Hamas. A more serious warning was reportedly delivered by Kamel during a visit to Israel in September, stating the situation in Gaza could "explode in everyone's face," to which Israeli officials allegedly responded that the situation was under control. Egyptian officials reportedly continued to warn Israel up to 48 hours before the attack, noting changes in Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's rhetoric and increased meetings between Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The report also claimed Netanyahu was informed of signs of an impending attack during a September conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, but "did not seem convinced." The Prime Minister's office reiterated its denial, calling the claims "false" and "recycled to mislead the Israeli public," adding that Netanyahu never meets or speaks with foreign intelligence chiefs without their Israeli counterparts present. Previous reports of Kamel visiting Israel in late September and delivering warnings were also denied by the Prime Minister's office and former National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi. Earlier in 2023, then-Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul stated that Egypt had warned Israel of such an event three days prior.