An Egyptian intelligence official has revealed that Egypt repeatedly warned Israel about an impending significant move by Hamas but received little heed from Israeli authorities. The warnings indicated that the Gaza-based terror group was planning “something big,” which included an apparent direct notice from Egypt’s intelligence minister to Israel’s prime minister.
According to the Egyptian official, these warnings were communicated to Israel through diplomatic channels, emphasizing the gravity of the situation without providing specific details. Israeli officials were primarily focused on security concerns in the West Bank, potentially downplaying the threat posed by Gaza.
In one instance, Egypt’s Intelligence Minister General Abbas Kamel personally called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only ten days before the massive attack, cautioning that Gazans were likely planning “something unusual, a terrible operation.”
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office denied these reports, dismissing them as “complete lies” and asserting that no early message was received from Egypt.
The surprise assault by Hamas, which breached Israeli border barriers and resulted in over 700 casualties and over 2,000 wounded, exposed a significant intelligence failure in Israel. The nation’s intelligence agencies have long held a reputation for their capabilities, including foiling plots, hunting down operatives abroad, and even targeting individuals in Iran.
This failure has raised questions about Israel’s readiness and intelligence gathering capabilities in the face of a determined adversary. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, acknowledged the need for an explanation but emphasized the ongoing nature of the conflict.
Some analysts argue that it is premature to solely attribute the failure to an intelligence breakdown, citing the diversion of military resources to address rising violence in the West Bank and political turmoil within Israel as contributing factors.
However, the apparent lack of prior knowledge regarding Hamas’s plot is expected to be closely scrutinized as one of the key elements that led to the deadliest attack against Israelis in decades. Despite Israel’s past successes in intelligence, the complexity and secrecy surrounding this operation allowed it to go unnoticed.
Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, pointed out that without a physical presence in Gaza, Israel has increasingly relied on technological means for intelligence gathering. Terrorists in Gaza, however, have adapted by avoiding technological surveillance and conducting their operations underground and without electronic communication.
The situation underscores the evolving challenges in intelligence gathering and the need for Israel to adapt its strategies to counter adversaries who have learned to evade technological surveillance.
