Netanyahu Confirms Egyptian Spy Chief Visited Israel Before Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed for the first time that Egypt's former intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, visited Israel about ten days before the October 7th Hamas attacks. Netanyahu claimed he did not meet Kamel, who he said visited for 59 minutes on September 26, 2023, and that he has asked security agencies to identify Kamel's contacts. Media reports had previously suggested Kamel delivered a warning about an impending attack, which Netanyahu's office had denied.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Abbas Kamel's visit to Israel before the October 7th attacks.
- Kamel, Egypt's former intelligence chief, visited Israel about ten days prior to the Hamas offensive.
- Netanyahu stated he did not meet Kamel during the September 26, 2023 visit.
- Netanyahu requested security agencies identify who Kamel met with during his brief visit.
- Previous reports of Kamel delivering a Hamas attack warning were denied by Netanyahu's office.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged for the first time on Tuesday that Egypt's former intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, visited Israel about a week and a half before the October 7 Hamas attacks. Netanyahu stated in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 that he did not meet Kamel during that visit because he was attending a memorial ceremony for Israeli soldiers. This admission comes after weeks of reports from Israeli and foreign media citing sources who claimed Kamel had visited Israel prior to the October 7th attack, carrying a warning from Hamas about a large-scale offensive. Netanyahu's office had previously denied these reports. During the interview, Netanyahu downplayed the significance of the visit, saying, "He always comes and sends someone." He also stated he did not know who Kamel met with during his September 26, 2023 visit, which lasted 59 minutes. Netanyahu added, "The Egyptian intelligence minister was here... I am turning to the security and law enforcement agencies, I want to know who he met with. Someone met him and wants to lay the blame on me."
Following Netanyahu's remarks, Israeli media outlets circulated a video from the Government Press Office showing Netanyahu meeting with Abbas Kamel in May 2021 at the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, when Kamel headed an Egyptian delegation. This video contradicts Netanyahu's earlier statements suggesting a lack of high-level contact.
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