Netanyahu Confirms Egyptian Intelligence Chief Visited Israel Before Oct. 7

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Tuesday that Egypt's intelligence minister had visited Israel prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks. This statement contradicts an earlier response from the Prime Minister's Office, issued on behalf of the National Security Council, which stated that no Egyptian aircraft were known to have landed in Israel at the time.

During an interview on the program "HaPatriotim," Netanyahu acknowledged the Egyptian minister's arrival but stated he did not meet with him because he was at Mount Herzl. He then questioned who the Egyptian official met with during his visit, stating, "I want to know with whom he met. I am turning to them: with whom did he meet?" The Prime Minister asserted that attempts were being made to blame him for the meeting, calling such claims "a lie."

The discrepancy between Netanyahu's current admission and the initial denial raises questions about the information available to official bodies at the time of the original report. While the initial response to "Israel Hayom" denied knowledge of an Egyptian plane, Netanyahu has now confirmed the visit and demanded clarification on the identities of those who met the Egyptian minister.