Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel made a clandestine visit to Israel a mere 11 days prior to the October 7 assault, highlighting critical warnings regarding Hamas’s plans for a significant attack. This revelation came to light through an investigation conducted by The Atlantic.
Details of the Secret Meeting
On September 26, 2023, while senior Israeli officials commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War in Jerusalem, a Cessna linked to Egyptian intelligence made an unusual landing at Ben-Gurion Airport. The aircraft was directed to a secluded area reserved for high-stakes diplomatic missions. Kamel, who served as head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, disembarked for a brief encounter with Israeli officials. The plane spent only 67 minutes in Israeli airspace before flying back to Cairo, as confirmed by flight logs.
The Nature of the Warnings
After October 7, various officials from Israel and other nations disclosed that Kamel warned his Israeli counterparts about Hamas’s preparations for a profound assault. He urged Israel to take immediate economic actions aimed at de-escalating tensions in Gaza. One former Israeli official encapsulated Kamel’s message: “If you don’t change course, Gaza is going to explode in your face.” However, specifics regarding potential attack timelines or methods were not provided during Kamel’s visit.
Despite anticipatory warnings about possible escalation or rocket fire, the intelligence community was gemmed with the shocking revelation of a coordinated, multi-front attack by Hamas on October 7. The absence of detailed warnings about such a sophisticated operation raises serious questions about the efficacy of intelligence protocols and the attention given to urgent advisories.
Significance of Kamel’s Visit
Multiple sources argued that Kamel’s hands-on approach underscored the seriousness of the situation. The perception held by Egyptian officials was that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi believed it was essential to deliver the message in person. As one former Israeli official stated, “The messenger was the message,” suggesting that a meeting with Kamel should have prompted a more serious reaction from Israel’s leadership.
In the days following the attack, however, the Prime Minister’s Office in Israel denied claims that Egypt had relayed any warnings. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that he had not engaged with Kamel directly or indirectly since assuming office. Nevertheless, both Egyptian and American officials maintained that warnings from Egypt persisted until just two days before the assault, reiterating the urgency of the situation.
This investigation closes a glaring gap in the understanding of the events leading to the tragic attack. With Kamel’s urgent communication escalating the need for action, one can only speculate about what further implications this has for regional stability and intelligence operations going forward. The factors leading up to the October 7 assault must now be scrutinized more meticulously, if Israel hopes to avert similar threats in the future.