Hamas sent pre-attack warning to Israel, claims ex-defence minister

Yoav Gallant, who previously served as Israel's defence minister, has made fresh allegations regarding intelligence failures preceding the October 7 attack. According to Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar transmitted a warning to Israeli authorities ahead of the assault, with multiple international alerts reaching Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Gallant asserted that the warning should have been elevated to the highest level of security priority within the Israeli government. He suggested that the threat assessment warranted immediate and serious attention from defence and security officials, given its potential implications.

The former defence minister further claimed that Netanyahu excluded senior security officials from key discussions during the subsequent conflict. This assertion adds to ongoing scrutiny of decision-making processes within Israel's leadership during the period surrounding the October 7 attack and its aftermath.

Gallant's comments contribute to a broader debate within Israeli political circles about institutional preparedness, intelligence gathering, and the handling of critical security matters by the government. The allegations underscore tensions within Israel's defence and political establishment regarding how pre-attack warnings were processed and acted upon.