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Egypt intelligence chief reportedly warned Israel before October 7 attack
The Jerusalem Post • • world
Key Points:
- Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel secretly visited Israel on September 26, 2023, warning that Hamas was preparing for a significant attack and urging Israel to reduce tensions in Gaza, according to an investigation by The Atlantic.
- Kamel's visit lasted only 67 minutes and occurred shortly before the October 7 Hamas attack, but he did not provide specific details about the timing, targets, or nature of the threat.
- Despite the warning, Israeli officials reportedly did not act decisively, with some suggesting that the high-level visit should have signaled the severity of the threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security team.
- Egyptian warnings about potential escalation continued until two days before the attack, including a message on October 5 emphasizing urgency but lacking concrete operational details.
- Israeli and Egyptian officials have publicly denied or downplayed the warnings, with Netanyahu's office rejecting reports of prior intelligence sharing, while some senior officials maintain the warnings were delivered but not adequately heeded.
