Netanyahu was warned repeatedly. Collected images
The US media outlet The Wall Street Journal reported that Cairo had previously issued two more warnings, but Israel did not take them seriously.
The report said that in June 2023, Egypt first warned Israel about the increasing instability in Gaza. At the same time, it suggested resuming negotiations with Hamas on a hostage and prisoner exchange agreement.
Then, in September, Abbas Kamel visited Israel. At that time, he warned that the situation in Gaza was dire and could become a major danger for everyone at any time.
The report cited an Arab government official who declined to be named.
However, Israeli officials dismissed Kamel’s warnings and told him the situation was under control. Then, a few days before the attack, the Egyptian intelligence chief called Netanyahu’s office.
The Wall Street Journal says that Egypt repeatedly warned Israel leading up to the October 7 attack. The report claims that warnings were even given 48 hours before the attack.
However, these warnings did not provide any specific timing or potential scope of the attack. Similar information has emerged in other recent reports about what intelligence Israel received before the attack and what warning signs were ignored.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu had previously claimed that he had not spoken to Abbas Kamel in the months before the attack.
In addition, other recent reports claim that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also warned Netanyahu about a possible attack in September 2023.
Netanyahu’s office, the Egyptian and United Arab Emirates foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment from The Wall Street Journal.