An Egyptian intelligence official told The Associated Press that Egypt, which often mediates between Israel and Hamas, had repeatedly warned the Israelis that a significant event was coming. One intelligence official said Israeli officials focused on the West Bank and underestimated the threat from Gaza.
"We warned that the situation would soon explode, but they underestimated those warnings," said the source, who spoke to journalists anonymously.
The paper also notes that the country has recently been rocked by controversy over Netanyahu's judicial reforms. The prime minister has received repeated warnings from security agencies and former intelligence chiefs that his plan, which has led to mass protests, undermines the cohesion of the country's security services.
