Netanyahu Admits Egyptian Intelligence Chief Visited Israel Before Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel on September 26, 2023, just over two weeks before the October 7th attack. Kamel's visit, previously denied, involved a brief stay and a meeting with an unidentified senior Israeli official. Netanyahu's admission contradicts earlier denials and his own past meetings with Kamel, raising questions about the intelligence shared and its handling. The article calls for a state commission of inquiry to investigate the events.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel on September 26, 2023.
- The visit occurred less than three weeks before the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel.
- Netanyahu stated Kamel did not meet him directly, but met an unnamed senior Israeli official.
- Netanyahu previously hosted Kamel in 2021, contradicting his claim of never meeting intelligence chiefs.
- Former Military Secretary Avi Gill had previously confirmed the intelligence chief's unannounced visit.
- The article calls for a state commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances of the visit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the head of Egyptian intelligence visited Israel approximately two weeks before the October 7th Hamas attack. The visit by Abbas Kamel, a close associate of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, had been previously denied by the Prime Minister's office and the National Security Council. The use of a private charter jet by Smart Aviation, an Egyptian company, was intended to obscure the identity of the passenger.
Netanyahu stated in a recent interview that Kamel did not meet with him directly because he was attending a memorial ceremony for IDF fallen soldiers. He questioned the premise of an intelligence chief meeting a head of state, asserting it never happened in his experience. However, this contradicts a 2021 meeting where Netanyahu hosted Kamel at his official residence, a fact confirmed by his own office which released official footage of the encounter. Netanyahu also expressed ignorance regarding which Israeli official met Kamel during the September visit.
The Prime Minister's admission follows statements by former Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Avi Gill, who confirmed the Egyptian intelligence plane's landing and brief stay, emphasizing such visits are not routine. Netanyahu's acknowledgment raises significant questions about what information Kamel conveyed, who received it, and what actions were taken, particularly as the visit occurred shortly before the attack.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attempted to mitigate the impact of Netanyahu's comments, suggesting the Prime Minister misspoke about never meeting Kamel, rather than being unaware of the visit. Ohana speculated Kamel met with a senior security official but admitted he lacked specific details. He stressed that understanding the content of the meeting is more critical than identifying the Israeli counterpart.
Citizens are seeking answers regarding the September meeting, the intelligence shared, and its handling. The article suggests that a state commission of inquiry is necessary to thoroughly investigate the events leading up to the October 7th massacre.
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