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Reports Say Egypt and UAE Warned Netanyahu Before Attack
Several reports say Egypt warned Israel before Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023.
Egypt’s intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, reportedly discussed the danger with Israeli officials.
One report says he visited Israel 11 days before the attack.
Another says Egypt had also warned Israel in June and September.
The reports say Egyptian officials believed Gaza was becoming very dangerous.
They also say the United Arab Emirates warned Israel about a major Hamas operation.
Israeli officials reportedly said the situation was under control, and the warnings did not lead to a change in policy.
Israel, Egypt, and the UAE did not comment on one report, while Benjamin Netanyahu has denied speaking with Kamel before the attack.
Reports say Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Israel about a possible Hamas assault before October 7, 2023.
The Atlantic reported that Kamel visited Israel 11 days before the attack and urged economic concessions to Hamas.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt issued earlier warnings, including one in June and another in September, with warnings continuing until as late as 48 hours before the attack.
A separate report said United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about an operation allegedly planned by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Netanyahu’s office and the foreign ministries of Egypt and the UAE declined to comment, while Netanyahu has previously denied speaking with Kamel before the attack.
- Who
- Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly warned Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about Hamas activity.
- What
- Reports allege that Egypt and the UAE warned Israel about a planned or potential large-scale Hamas attack before October 7, 2023.
- Where
- The reported Kamel meeting took place in Israel; the October 7 attack began in southern Israel and involved rocket fire and incursions from Gaza.
- When
- Warnings were reportedly issued in June and September 2023, with Egyptian warnings continuing until as late as 48 hours before the October 7 attack; The Atlantic reported Kamel’s visit occurred 11 days beforehand.
- Why
- Egypt reportedly wanted Israel to address worsening conditions in Gaza and consider economic concessions or renewed negotiations to reduce tensions.
Warnings Were Ignored
Warnings Were Disputed or Not Confirmed
Whether Israel received actionable warnings
Warnings Were Ignored
The Wall Street Journal report says Egypt issued multiple warnings, including messages shortly before the attack, and that Israel did not act on them. The reports also say a UAE warning did not reach Israel’s security leadership.
Warnings Were Disputed or Not Confirmed
Netanyahu has previously denied speaking with Kamel before the attack, and Netanyahu’s office, Egypt’s foreign ministry, and the UAE’s foreign ministry declined to comment on the Wall Street Journal report.
Assessment of the Gaza threat
Warnings Were Ignored
Egyptian officials reportedly described Gaza’s situation as dire and warned that it could escalate into a major attack; Kamel allegedly urged economic concessions and renewed negotiations.
Warnings Were Disputed or Not Confirmed
Israeli officials reportedly told Kamel that the situation was under control, indicating they did not share the reported assessment of the immediate danger.
Reliability of the accounts
Warnings Were Ignored
The Atlantic cited Israeli, Egyptian, Arab, American, and European officials, while the UAE warning was reported in a book based on conversations with dozens of people, including senior officials.
Warnings Were Disputed or Not Confirmed
The reports rely on unnamed officials and secondhand accounts, and the governments named in the reports did not publicly confirm the claims.
Key facts
- Attack date
- October 7, 2023
- Egyptian official
- Abbas Kamel, Egypt’s intelligence chief
- Reported timing
- The Atlantic said Kamel visited Israel 11 days before the attack; The Wall Street Journal report said warnings continued until as late as 48 hours beforehand
- Reported Egyptian warnings
- Warnings were allegedly issued in June and September, followed by further messages before the attack
- Reported UAE warning
- Mohammed bin Zayed allegedly warned Netanyahu about a major Hamas operation linked to Yahya Sinwar
- Reported response
- Israeli officials reportedly told Kamel that the situation was under control
- Attack impact
- The reports describe at least 260 people killed at the Nova Music Festival and approximately 240 people taken hostage into Gaza
Quotes
Abbas Kamel
Egyptian intelligence chief who reportedly warned Israel before the October 7 attack
“the Egyptians continued to warn Israel up until 48 hours before the attack.”
wionews.com
“the situation in Gaza was dire and could blow up in everyone’s faces”
wionews.com
Sources
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