Netanyahu Denies Meeting Egyptian Spy Chief Before Oct. 7

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vehemently denied reports claiming he met with former Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel several days before the October 7th Hamas attack, during which he allegedly received a warning. Netanyahu stated on his official "X" (formerly Twitter) account that he did not meet or speak with Kamel in the months leading up to October 7th and received no warning from Egyptian intelligence.

Netanyahu announced his intention to sue the publishers of these reports. He also attacked former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, accusing "left-wing media" of conducting a "false campaign" to shift blame for Bar's failures on the eve of October 7th onto the Prime Minister.

Netanyahu asserted that on the night of October 7th, Bar spoke with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and head of military intelligence. Despite available intelligence indicators, Netanyahu claimed, Bar decided not to contact the Prime Minister, did not warn armed units or army forces, and did not evacuate the Nova music festival. Netanyahu added that Bar's decision to send only a small team from the "Takila" unit confirmed Bar knew of a "real danger."

Netanyahu further alleged that "foreign and hostile countries and elements, including Arab countries," are behind these "lies" with the aim of toppling the right-wing government and replacing it with a left-wing government supported by Arab parties.