In a recent development that has raised eyebrows globally, Egypt has reportedly warned Israel about an impending attack by militants from the Palestinian group Hamas. According to an Egyptian intelligence source cited by Ynet, General Abbas Kamel, the Egyptian intelligence chief, had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ten days before the Hamas attack to warn him of the looming operation. This claim was further corroborated by an Egyptian intelligence source.
However, the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu has categorically denied these reports. In a statement, the office termed the claims as “completely false,” adding that Netanyahu has never met the head of Egyptian intelligence since the formation of his government. This denial comes amidst other reports, as reported in WION, that suggest Israel’s security agencies downplayed the warnings from Cairo, focusing instead on the West Bank and ignoring the threat from Gaza.
The Kremlin was also reportedly “surprised by the Israeli prime minister’s indifference”, according to Ynet. This indifference has been a point of concern, especially considering that the Israeli army had assured Egypt that “the situation in Gaza, particularly along the border, is under control.” These claims and counterclaims have led to a complex web of narratives, with some reports like one from Political Wire suggesting that Netanyahu’s office is not being truthful about the warning from Egypt.
Adding another layer to this intricate situation is a report by The New York Times, which cited American and Israeli officials stating that Israeli intelligence services did not receive any warnings about the Hamas attack. The report says that the attack was a “complete tactical surprise”. This was further emphasized by the failure of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, which was unable to handle the barrage of deadly missiles at the start of the attack.
On October 7, the Israeli army reported that Hamas had launched the Al-Aqsa Flood military operation against Israel. This was followed by an official announcement on October 8, stating the country’s transition to a “state of war.” By October 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the restoration of control over border towns.
As Israel grapples with the aftermath of the devastating October 7 terrorist attack, President Joe Biden’s actions—or lack thereof—have raised eyebrows and drawn criticism. According to a recent article in The Eastern Herald, Biden chose to partake in a White House barbecue even as the crisis unfolded, leaving hundreds dead and thousands wounded in Israel. The article calls out this act as a “grotesque display of indifference,” questioning the President’s priorities at a time when leadership is most needed. Critics from both sides of the aisle have condemned Biden’s actions, labeling them as tone-deaf at best and a dereliction of duty at worst. The article also points to the added complexity of American hostages being held by Hamas, further scrutinizing Biden’s decision to proceed with the barbecue.
