Cairo

Egypt has rejected calls from Israeli officials to expand military operations in the occupied West Bank, after far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich urged a Gaza-style war there. Cairo warned such a escalation would destabilise the region further, deepening tensions between Israel and a key mediator in the conflict.

Egypt's intelligence chief warned Israel ahead of October 7 that Gaza was 'on verge of exploding' and that Hamas was planning an escalation, according to a report citing the warning. The claim revives debate over whether Israeli officials underestimated the threat despite specific advance notice from Cairo, and how much of the intelligence was shared or acted upon before the attack.

An Egyptian source said Cairo warned Israeli officials that the situation in Gaza could deteriorate sharply. The remark, reported by Israeli media, underscores Egypt's long-standing role as mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions, and reflects growing regional concern that tensions in Gaza could escalate into a wider confrontation without renewed de-escalation efforts.

Palestinian political factions have gathered in Cairo for talks ahead of the Palestinian Legislative Council elections scheduled for November. The meetings, hosted with Egyptian backing, focus on preparations for the vote, the first PLC election in years, and whether rival groups including Fatah and Hamas can agree on terms for holding it.

Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Israel about a Hamas attack before October 7, according to a report by The Atlantic. The claim, being compared across 23 outlets, reignites questions over whether Israeli officials received specific advance warnings and why the attack was not prevented. The alleged warning adds to earlier reports that Cairo repeatedly cautioned Jerusalem about escalating violence in Gaza ahead of the assault.

Fatah officials say talks being held in Cairo may lead to a delay in the planned Palestinian elections. The discussions in the Egyptian capital are reportedly focused on the electoral process, and sources within the faction suggest the vote's timetable could be pushed back as a result. The potential postponement is drawing attention given the significance of the elections for Palestinian politics.

Egypt has issued a warning to Israel, according to reporting by The Atlantic. The exact content and circumstances of the warning are not detailed, but it concerns relations between the two countries amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Cairo has long played a mediating role in the region, and any public admonition of Jerusalem draws attention to the state of their security and diplomatic ties.