Egypt warned Israel of October 7 attack as late as 48 hours before - report
The final warning came in early October just days before October 7, when former intelligence chief Kamel called Netanyahu’s office directly
Egypt gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu direct and repeated intelligence warnings in the lead-up to October 7, including as late as 48 hours before the attack, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Then-intelligence director Abbas Kamel reportedly called Netanyahu directly only a few days before the attack.
This was at least the third warning to come directly from Egypt in the lead up to the attack, according to sources in Arab governments quoted in the Wall Street Journal.
The first warning came as early as June 2023, when Egypt said that the situation in Gaza was explosive and encouraged Israel to reopen negotiations with Hamas.
By September, the warnings had become more direct and said the situation was going to "blow up in everyone's faces," with sources saying Israel responded that the situation was under control.
The final warning came in early October just days before October 7, when Kamel called Netanyahu’s office directly. One source told the Journal that Egypt continued its warnings until nearly 48 hours before the attack.
Netanyahu has denied ever speaking to Kamel in the months before the attack. Kamel was replaced as head of Egypt’s intelligence service in October 2024.
This report joins other reports that Netanyahu was warned by Arab countries in the lead-up to October 7, including by Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed, as well as earlier claims that Kamel had tried to warn Netanyahu.