Egypt Flagged Hamas Threat Before Oct. 7

In a revealing interview with Bloomberg This Weekend, Atlantic staff writer Vivian Salama discloses that Egypt's then-intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, made an unusual 67-minute trip to Israel less than two weeks before the October 7, 2023, attack. Kamel warned Israeli officials that intelligence indicated Hamas was mobilizing for a major assault. Salama tells hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini that Egypt was among several regional governments that raised concerns before the attack. The revelation raises questions about who received the warning and what actions were taken. Despite the intelligence, the attack proceeded, leading to a devastating conflict. Salama's reporting sheds light on the complex dynamics of intelligence sharing and the challenges of preventing surprise attacks. The conversation also explores the broader implications for regional security and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas. Salama's insights provide valuable context for understanding the events leading up to October 7 and the continuing fallout.