Netanyahu reportedly received warnings of Hamas attack before October 7

October 7 attacks intelligence warnings Benjamin Netanyahu Mohammed bin Zayed Abbas Kamel

Reports from The Atlantic and The New York Times indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received multiple warnings regarding a potential large-scale Hamas operation prior to the October 7, 2023, attacks.

One report details a visit by Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to Ben Gurion Airport on September 26, 2023. Kamel reportedly warned Israeli officials that Gaza could “blow up” and urged economic concessions to Hamas to prevent escalation. His aircraft remained at the airport for 67 minutes during the visit.

Additionally, The New York Times reported that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called Netanyahu in late September 2023 to warn of a major Hamas attack. According to meeting minutes reviewed by the Times, Netanyahu did not relay this warning to Israel's security chiefs during a high-level meeting on October 1, 2023. During that meeting, Netanyahu reportedly emphasized maintaining calm in Gaza to avoid jeopardizing potential diplomatic normalization with Saudi Arabia, subsequently opposing suggestions to strike senior Hamas leaders.

Netanyahu’s office and national security officials have denied receiving these specific warnings or that the reported communications took place.

Entities

Abbas Kamel · Benjamin Netanyahu · Hamas · Israel · Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan · United Arab Emirates · Yahya Sinwar

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] The Prime Minister's office denies receiving any such phone call from the UAE president during the period in question. www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · qudsnet.com · islamabadpost.com.pk · paltimeps.ps
[● 5 SOURCES] An Egyptian intelligence-linked aircraft remained at Ben Gurion Airport for 67 minutes on September 26, 2023. www.parismatch.com · sapo.pt · www.europesays.com · askanews.it · www.quotidiano.net
[● 5 SOURCES] Abbas Kamel advised the Israeli government to make economic concessions to Hamas to prevent conflict. sapo.pt · www.europesays.com · www.radiostudio90italia.it · askanews.it · www.quotidiano.net
[DISPUTED] UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly called Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 to warn of a large-scale Hamas operation. www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · islamabadpost.com.pk · cafetorah.com · www.indyturk.com · www.parismatch.com · +2 more
[DISPUTED] Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel on September 26, 2023, to warn of a potential major Hamas offensive. www.parismatch.com · sapo.pt · www.europesays.com · www.radiostudio90italia.it · askanews.it · +1 more
[DISPUTED] UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly called Netanyahu in late September 2023 to warn of a large-scale Hamas operation. www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · www.parismatch.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Yahya Sinwar communicated through an intermediary that Hamas would launch an operation causing a 'terremoto' (earthquake) in negotiations before the end of September. cafetorah.com · islamabadpost.com.pk
[DISPUTED] The UAE warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas was planning a major attack. islamabadpost.com.pk · cafetorah.com · www.indyturk.com
[DISPUTED] Tzachi Hanegbi denied that Abbas Kamel had visited Israel or that Egypt had issued a warning. islamabadpost.com.pk · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · www.parismatch.com · www.europesays.com · www.radiostudio90italia.it
[● 6 SOURCES] The UAE warning was not raised during a security meeting Netanyahu held on October 1, 2023. islamabadpost.com.pk · cafetorah.com · www.indyturk.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · qudsnet.com · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Netanyahu pushed back against suggestions to strike senior Hamas figures to avoid damaging potential diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. islamabadpost.com.pk · www.indyturk.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · qudsnet.com · paltimeps.ps