Israel received warnings before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack from multiple foreign sources, according to reports from several outlets, though details of the warnings and how they were handled differ across accounts.
The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by the leader of the United Arab Emirates about a potential Hamas attack, but the warning lacked specific details and never reached the chiefs of Israel's security establishment, according to Israeli officials cited by the newspaper. Common Dreams noted that this account affirmed an earlier report by the Israeli outlet Haaretz.
Separately, a report from The Atlantic, cited by Arab News, said Israel received repeated warnings about escalating Hamas activity in the weeks before the attack, including an unusual visit to Israel by Egypt's intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, who arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on September 26, 2023, aboard a chartered Cessna as Netanyahu prepared to mark an anniversary.
According to the Jerusalem Post, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Hamas had warned Israel's Shin Bet security agency ahead of October 7. Gallant also alleged that Netanyahu barred him from key U.S. talks during the Gaza war, a claim reported only by that outlet.
How each side covered it
Left
- The New York Times reported Netanyahu was warned by the UAE's leader about a potential Hamas attack.
- The warning reportedly lacked specific details and never reached Israel's security chiefs, per Israeli officials.
- Common Dreams noted the report affirmed an earlier Haaretz account of a warning to Netanyahu.
“Netanyahu Said to Have Been Warned by Emirati Leader About Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7” — The New York Times
Center
- Arab News cited a report from The Atlantic describing repeated warnings to Israel before the attack.
- The report highlighted an unusual visit by Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel on September 26, 2023.
- Kamel arrived at Ben Gurion Airport aboard a chartered Cessna as Netanyahu prepared for an anniversary event.
“Israel received repeated warnings before October 7 attack, says The Atlantic” — Arab News
Right
- The Jerusalem Post reported Gallant confirmed Hamas warned the Shin Bet ahead of October 7.
- Gallant alleged Netanyahu barred him from key U.S. talks during the Gaza war.
“Gallant confirms Hamas warned Shin Bet ahead of Oct. 7, says Netanyahu barred him from US talks” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What did the New York Times report about warnings before October 7?
The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by the leader of the United Arab Emirates about a potential Hamas attack, but the warning lacked specific details and never reached the chiefs of Israel's security establishment, according to Israeli officials.
What did The Atlantic report about Egypt's role?
According to a report from The Atlantic cited by Arab News, Israel received repeated warnings about escalating Hamas activity, including an unusual visit by Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, who arrived in Israel on September 26, 2023.
What did Yoav Gallant say about warnings and Netanyahu?
Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Hamas had warned Israel's Shin Bet ahead of October 7 and alleged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu barred him from key U.S. talks during the Gaza war, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Why does this matter?
The reports raise questions about whether Israeli leadership acted on intelligence warnings before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, a topic of ongoing scrutiny in Israel.
What did left-, center- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the New York Times' report on a UAE warning to Netanyahu that did not reach security chiefs; center outlets highlighted The Atlantic's account of Egyptian intelligence warnings; right-leaning outlets focused on Gallant's claims about Hamas warnings to the Shin Bet and his exclusion from U.S. talks.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- Common DreamsLeft-leaningNew York Times Affirms Haaretz Report: Netanyahu Was Warned About Oct. 7
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningNetanyahu Said to Have Been Warned by Emirati Leader About Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7
- Arab NewsCenterIsrael received repeated warnings before October 7 attack, says The Atlantic
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningEmirati October 7 warning reportedly never reached Israeli security leaders