Egypt Warned Israel of Major Hamas Attack, but Warnings Failed to Prompt Action
Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel met Israeli officials on Sept. 26 2023, warning of a major Hamas attack.
In Brief
- •Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel met Israeli officials on Sept. 26 2023, warning of a major Hamas attack.
- •The meeting lasted about 67 minutes and involved senior Israeli national‑security officials.
- •Israeli intelligence had detected unusual Hamas activity in Gaza weeks before Oct. 7, yet no adequate response was taken.
- •The UAE also warned Netanyahu of Gaza danger shortly before the attack.
- •Calls for an independent inquiry into the failures are growing.
Why It Matters
The episode highlights how critical intelligence can be overlooked within a national security apparatus, raising questions about decision‑making and risk assessment in high‑stakes environments. It also underscores the broader regional security dynamics, as warnings from Egypt and the UAE were ignored, contributing to a devastating attack that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
Key Details
- Meeting Date
- September 26 2023
- Meeting Duration
- 67 minutes
- Warning Source
- Abbas Kamel, Egypt’s intelligence chief
- Subsequent Attack
- Hamas attack on Oct. 7 2023
- UAE Warning
- Prior to Oct. 7
Context & Background
The warning came on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, a day of national reflection for Israel, when the country was already grappling with a historic intelligence failure.
Original Reporting & Sources
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