Egypt's Intelligence Chief Warned Israel of Hamas Attack 11 Days Before Oct. 7

Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel secretly visited Israel on September 26, 2023, and warned that Hamas was preparing for a major attack, according to The Atlantic. Kamel urged economic concessions to prevent escalation, but it remains disputed whether the warning reached top Israeli leadership.

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Kamel flew to Israel on a chartered Cessna
Warning delivered that Hamas was mobilizing for a major attack
Kamel urged Israel to grant economic concessions to Gaza
Aircraft landed in isolated area at Ben-Gurion Airport
Netanyahu attended Yom Kippur War 50th anniversary ceremony

Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel secretly visited Israel on September 26, 2023, just 11 days before the October 7 Hamas attack, according to an investigation by The Atlantic. A chartered Cessna aircraft linked to Egypt's intelligence service landed at Ben-Gurion Airport in an isolated area reserved for sensitive diplomatic missions and remained on the ground for 67 minutes before returning to Cairo.

During the brief visit, Kamel, then head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service and a close adviser to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, delivered an urgent warning that Hamas was mobilizing for a major attack and that the window to prevent escalation was closing. He urged Israel to grant economic concessions to ease tensions in Gaza, reportedly telling Israeli officials: "If you don't change course, Gaza is going to blow up in your faces." However, Kamel did not provide specific details about the date, targets, or operational nature of the anticipated assault.

The timing of Kamel's visit coincided with Israeli leadership gathering in Jerusalem to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the ceremony, reflecting on the intelligence failures of 1973, and his public schedule indicates he attended a classified briefing afterward. Soon after, Israel approved some economic concessions to Hamas. It remains unclear exactly which Israeli officials met with Kamel, though former officials suggested that senior leadership, including Netanyahu, would have been aware of such a high-level visit.

Israeli and Egyptian officials have disputed the account. Tzachi Hanegbi, who was head of the National Security Council at the time, denied to The Atlantic this week that Kamel visited Israel or that any Egyptian warning was delivered. Netanyahu's office previously denied receiving warnings from Egypt about the Gaza situation. However, officials from seven countries briefed on the visit told The Atlantic that the personal dispatch of Egypt's intelligence chief should have triggered concern at the highest governmental levels, with one former Israeli official stating: "The messenger was the message."

The Atlantic's investigation notes that Egyptian warnings continued until October 5, two days before the attack, when Egypt sent another message expressing urgency over the possibility of an attack. Multiple regional and international actors, including a UN envoy and the United Arab Emirates' President Mohamed bin Zayed, also warned Israel of potential Hamas action in the weeks preceding October 7.

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#Gaza #intelligence warning #The Atlantic investigation #Abbas Kamel #Hamas #Israel #Benjamin Netanyahu #security #Egypt #October 7 attack

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Why This Matters

The dispute centers on whether senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, received advance notice of Hamas preparations before the October 7, 2023 attack. If corroborated, the account affects assessments of Israeli intelligence preparedness and decision-making. Egypt's intelligence service and Israeli National Security Council have denied the visit occurred; The Atlantic cites officials from seven countries as sources. The factual stakes include: clarity on pre-attack intelligence flows between regional security services; Netanyahu's office's prior denials versus reported attendees' accounts; and the timing of Israeli economic concessions to Gaza in relation to the warning.

Timeline & Sources

Sep 26, 2023

Wire

Abbas Kamel lands at Ben-Gurion Airport on chartered Cessna; Jerusalem ceremony marks 50th anniversary of Yom Kippur War; Netanyahu attends classified briefing

Oct 5, 2023

Wire

Egypt sends final warning message to Israel expressing urgency over possibility of attack

Oct 7, 2023

Wire

Hamas launches major attack on Israel

Oct 9, 2023

Wire

Yedioth Ahronoth reports Kamel spoke with Netanyahu before October 7, warning of 'terrifying operation'

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