Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Former Israeli Minister Confirms Hamas Warning Before October 7 Attack
Yoav Gallant, who used to be Israel's defence minister, said Israel received a warning from Hamas before the October 7 attack.
The warning reportedly said Yahya Sinwar would "shake the prisons."
Israeli security officials believed the message was about a possible kidnapping, not a large attack.
Gallant said this showed that important information may have been misunderstood.
He also said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not always include him in important talks with American officials.
Gallant said he learned about some alleged foreign warnings from news reports rather than official briefings.
He denied knowing about a reported visit by Egypt's intelligence chief before the attack.
These issues may become important during Israel's next election in 2026.
Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel received a Hamas warning weeks before the October 7, 2023 attack.
The message reportedly said Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would "shake the prisons," but Israeli intelligence linked it to Elizabeth Tsurkov's possible kidnapping.
Gallant accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of excluding him from sensitive discussions with United States officials during the war.
He said he was unaware of alleged warnings from foreign leaders or a reported visit by Egypt's intelligence chief before the attack.
Gallant's claims come ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026 election, which is expected to focus on accountability for the attack and the Gaza war.
- Who
- Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Israeli intelligence officials, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Gallant confirmed that Israel received a Hamas warning before the October 7, 2023 attack and criticized how the warning and wartime communications were handled.
- When
- The warning was received in the weeks before October 7, 2023; Gallant discussed it nearly three years later.
- Where
- The warning went through a channel involving Israel's Shin Bet, and Gallant discussed it with Army Radio.
- Why
- The warning was reportedly interpreted as relating to the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov rather than a broader Hamas assault.
Gallant's Account
Netanyahu Government Position
Meaning of the Hamas warning
Gallant's Account
Gallant said the message reached Israeli intelligence but was interpreted as being about a kidnapping, suggesting a failure to assess its broader significance.
Netanyahu Government Position
The article does not provide a direct Netanyahu response to Gallant's account or an alternative explanation of the intelligence assessment.
Conduct of the Gaza war
Gallant's Account
Gallant advocated a more pragmatic approach focused on securing a hostage deal.
Netanyahu Government Position
Netanyahu maintained that military pressure on Hamas needed to continue.
Wartime communication
Gallant's Account
Gallant said Netanyahu excluded him from sensitive discussions with United States officials and that he learned about some conversations only through American officials.
Netanyahu Government Position
Netanyahu cited a crisis of trust with Gallant when dismissing him, but the article gives no detailed response to the specific communication allegations.
- Warning content
- Hamas reportedly said Yahya Sinwar would "shake the prisons."
- Intelligence assessment
- The Shin Bet and Military Intelligence Directorate reportedly connected the message to Elizabeth Tsurkov's kidnapping.
- Attack date
- October 7, 2023
- Gallant's defence tenure
- He served as defence minister from 2022 until November 2024.
- Gallant's dismissal
- Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed him in November 2024, citing a crisis of trust.
- Next Israeli election
- October 27, 2026