Washington: Israel was alerted by Egypt of a possible attack three days before Hamas lethal cross-border assault, a US congressional panel chairman has said, AFP news agency reported.
House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee head Michael McCaul told reporters that a warning was given to Israel.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the report of the alleged warning as absolutely false, reported BBC.
While Israel fights back the deadliest attack by Hamas in the countrys 75-year history, it is examining what went wrong with the Israeli intelligence services which failed to smell the well-planned, large-scale attack by Palestinian militants.
We know that Egypt has warned the Israelis three days prior that an event like this could happen, Mr McCaul told reporters following a closed-door intelligence briefing on Wednesday for lawmakers about the Middle East crisis, according to AFP news agency.
I dont want to get too much into classified, but a warning was given, the Texas Republican added. I think the question was at what level.
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At least 150 people, including Israelis, foreigners, and those with dual nationality, were abducted to the Gaza Strip by Hamas during the Saturday attack.
According to reports, more than 1,200 people were killed in Israeli towns and neighbouring areas.
Israel has implemented a complete siege on Gaza in the days following, severing access to water, fuel, and electricity.
