Egypt allegedly warned Israel of Hamas attack before October 7

Reports have emerged alleging that Egypt warned Israel of an impending large-scale Hamas attack shortly before the October 7, 2023, invasion. According to a report by The Atlantic, citing government officials from Israel, Egypt, and other Arab nations, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly traveled to Israel less than two weeks before the attack. Kamel’s message allegedly warned that the window to avert a catastrophe was closing and suggested economic concessions to Hamas to prevent escalation.

These claims are sharply contested. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied receiving any such warning, previously labeling such reports as ‘fake news’ intended to manipulate the Israeli public.

Adding to the dispute, former senior Mossad official Eyal Tsir Cohen stated he has no recollection of receiving warnings from Egypt or the United Arab Emirates regarding the imminent attack. While Cohen noted that a highly secret visit by Kamel could have theoretically occurred without his knowledge, he emphasized that such warnings were not raised during subsequent meetings with Egyptian intelligence officials following the October 7 events.