Netanyahu Confirms Egyptian Spy Chief Visited Israel Before Oct. 7, Denies Meeting
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Egypt's then-Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel 11 days before the October 7 attacks. Netanyahu denied meeting Kamel, stating the Egyptian official was in Israel for about 59 minutes while he attended a memorial. The confirmation follows reports that Kamel warned of a major Hamas attack during his visit, though the identity of the Israeli official he met is unknown.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Egypt's then-Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel before October 7.
- Netanyahu denied meeting Kamel, asking to identify the Israeli officials who did meet him.
- Kamel's visit occurred 11 days before the October 7 Hamas attacks, lasting approximately 59 minutes.
- Media reports suggest Kamel warned of a major Hamas attack during his visit.
- Netanyahu's office had previously denied receiving advance warning from Egypt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed, for the first time, that then-Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel 11 days before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. However, Netanyahu denied meeting or speaking with Kamel, and instead demanded to know which Israeli officials met the Egyptian dignitary. "I want to know who he met," Netanyahu stated in an interview with Israel's Channel 14, adding that Kamel's visit lasted approximately 59 minutes while Netanyahu was attending a memorial ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers.
Netanyahu's statements follow media reports indicating Kamel arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on September 26, 2023, and reportedly warned of a major attack Hamas was preparing from Gaza. According to these reports, the Egyptian intelligence-linked plane stayed for about 67 minutes before returning to Cairo. The identity of the Israeli official who met Kamel remains unknown.
Netanyahu's remarks have raised questions about who met the Egyptian official and whether the Egyptian warnings reached the relevant Israeli authorities before the attack. Netanyahu's office had previously denied receiving advance warning from Egypt about the impending assault.
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