Netanyahu Denies Receiving Egyptian Warnings Before Oct. 7

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted reports claiming Egypt issued warnings prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks. In a statement released Monday, Netanyahu asserted that he never met or spoke with the then-head of Egyptian General Intelligence, Abbas Kamel, nor did any Israeli intelligence agency relay such warnings to him.

Netanyahu further stated his intention to pursue defamation charges regarding these reports. He emphasized that he never meets or communicates with foreign intelligence chiefs without their Israeli counterparts present. He also criticized what he termed a "vile and false campaign" by "left-wing media" and "foreign and hostile elements," including Arab states, aiming to blame him for failures on October 7th and destabilize his right-wing government.

He specifically accused Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of failing to alert him, the IDF, or emergency units on the night of the attack, despite having received intelligence and discussing it with the then-Chief of Staff and head of Military Intelligence. Netanyahu suggested Bar's actions, including not evacuating the Nova music festival, indicated prior knowledge of a significant threat.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, strongly criticized Netanyahu's statements, accusing him of losing control and endangering Israelis. Eisenkot alleged that Netanyahu is deliberately spreading "toxic lies and dangerous conspiracy theories" to evade responsibility for the October 7th catastrophe, which he claims Netanyahu's policies, including strengthening Hamas, contributed to. Eisenkot vowed that a future government would establish an inquiry to uncover the truth.