Biden Envoy: No Prior Warning for Israel or US on Oct. 7 Hamas Attack
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Brett McGurk, U.S. nor Israel had prior intelligence warning of the October 7 Hamas attack. He asserted that a review of available intelligence found no indications of the impending assault. McGurk urged Israel to form an investigation commission, similar to the U.S. 9/11 Commission, to examine what senior officials knew and why warnings were not heeded. These comments come amid reports of prior general warnings to Israel, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denies.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- U.S. Envoy Brett McGurk stated neither the U.S. nor Israel had prior intelligence warning of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
- McGurk called for Israel to establish a formal investigation commission similar to the U.S. 9/11 Commission.
- He asserted that a review of all available intelligence found no indications of the impending assault.
- McGurk's comments address claims of prior general warnings issued to Israel by Egypt and the UAE.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has strongly denied these claims of prior warnings.
- McGurk met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant multiple times during the war to discuss key issues.
Brett McGurk, U.S. President Envoy to the Middle East, stated in a special interview with i24NEWS that neither the United States nor Israel had any prior intelligence warning of Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, 2023. McGurk explained that after the terror attack, all previously available intelligence was re-examined, but no indications or evidence of what was to come were found. "We didn't have a warning, and the Israelis didn't have a warning of what they told us," McGurk declared, adding that checks with other senior regional colleagues revealed no one possessed prior knowledge of the planned assault. In light of this, McGurk called on Israel to establish a formal investigation commission, similar to the 9/11 Commission in the U.S. He suggested such a commission should examine precisely what senior officials knew, what was missed, and why potential information was not escalated up the chain of command. These remarks come amid ongoing discussions and reports claiming that Egyptian and UAE officials issued general warnings to Israel in the months preceding the massacre, claims which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his office have strongly denied. McGurk, who served as the U.S. administration's envoy to the Middle East, met several times with senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during the war. These meetings addressed the ground operation in Gaza, the issue of hostages, and humanitarian aid for civilians. President Biden had previously dispatched McGurk to the Middle East multiple times during the war to advance hostage deal negotiations with mediators. The American envoy is considered a key figure in the U.S. administration's efforts to achieve regional agreements. The call for an investigation commission echoes similar demands from various public and political sectors within Israel, as the question of what intelligence and military bodies knew before the attack, and why appropriate warning mechanisms were not activated, continues to occupy the Israeli public.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Right 2Haredi 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
