U.S. had no knowledge of Hamas plans for attack - Kirby
National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby (photo: Getty Images)
There is no indication that US intelligence knew about Hamas' plan to attack Israel, stated the coordinator of the U.S. National Security Council John Kirby.
According to Kirby, the U.S. intelligence community has said it was unaware of Hamas' plan to attack Israel.
Recently, the New York Times reported that Israeli officials received Hamas' plans for the October 7 attack more than a year before it happened, citing documents, emails, and interviews.
The newspaper reported that the document was circulated among Israeli military and intelligence officials, but experts dismissed the plan as too complex for Hamas to execute.
"The intelligence community has indicated that they did not have access to this document. That there are no indications at this time that they had any access to this document beforehand," Kirby said.
War in Israel
On October 7, Hamas invaded Israel and began killing and abducting both military and civilians. Israel announced Operation Iron Swords and began shelling terrorist sites in the Gaza Strip. Israel also cut off electricity and water supplies to the region.
Last week, Israel signed an agreement with Hamas on a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. Hamas released the first group of hostages on November 24.
Read more about Israel's agreements with Hamas and how long the war will last in RBC-Ukraine's article.
On December 1, Israel resumed hostilities in the Gaza Strip and claimed that Hamas had violated the terms of the ceasefire.
According to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israel resumed fire after Hamas refused to release hostages, including two children.
