Egypt Warned Israel of Impending Hamas Attack Before October 7, Reports Show

In the weeks leading up to October 7, 2023, Egypt's intelligence services reportedly noticed signs that Hamas was preparing for a major escalation. According to several accounts, Egypt's top spy, Abbas Kamel, became concerned enough to deliver a personal warning to Israeli officials.

These warnings were not routine. Egyptian intelligence believed the situation in Gaza was becoming increasingly unstable and that Hamas was mobilizing for an operation that could have significant consequences. The urgency of the message led to direct communication with Israel at the highest levels.

Less than two weeks before the October 7 attack, Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel traveled to Israel to deliver a warning in person. Reports say he told Israeli officials that Gaza could "blow up" if action was not taken, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat. The Atlantic and other outlets later revealed that this visit was highly unusual and driven by mounting concerns over Hamas's activities.

In the days following, Israeli media and international outlets began to report that Israel had received repeated warnings before the attack. Some sources stated that Kamel even recommended steps to ease tensions with Hamas, hoping to prevent violence. Despite these alerts, the Hamas attack on October 7 took Israel by surprise, leading to significant casualties and the start of the Israel-Gaza war.

After the attack, scrutiny over Israel's handling of intelligence increased. Reports cited anonymous officials and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, who confirmed that Israel had indeed received warnings about Hamas's plans but did not act decisively. The controversy quickly became a political issue, with Prime Minister Netanyahu facing accusations of ignoring or downplaying the alerts.

Netanyahu has denied the allegations and has threatened legal action against some media outlets. The topic has remained in the headlines, particularly as Israel approaches new elections and the government faces mounting pressure from the public and opposition leaders.

The debate over Israel's response to Egypt's warnings remains unresolved. Netanyahu and his supporters insist that the intelligence was not specific enough to act on, while critics argue that clear red flags were missed.

The issue is now a central point of contention in Israeli politics, fueling calls for investigations and accountability. As new details emerge, the controversy continues to affect public trust in the government and security establishment.

Key questions remain about how Israeli officials assessed and acted on the intelligence from Egypt. Ongoing investigations and political fallout are expected, especially as the country heads toward elections. Further revelations could shape public opinion and the future of Israel's leadership.