Egyptian Plane Landing Sparks Fierce Debate Among Israeli Journalists

A new report by Itay Blumenthal of Kan News has ignited a sharp dispute among prominent Israeli journalists regarding the passengers on an Egyptian executive jet that landed in Israel about ten days before the October 7th Hamas attack. Contrary to previous reports suggesting the Egyptian intelligence chief visited Israel on the flight to deliver an urgent warning of an impending attack, Blumenthal's investigation, citing sources familiar with the flight, revealed that only two Egyptian businessmen were aboard. The flight was registered as a routine business trip, not a security or official visit. This revelation has led to a public clash, with journalists like Avishai Grinzaig, Haim Levinson, and Amit Segal criticizing earlier reports that linked the plane's landing to a high-level intelligence warning. Grinzaig specifically attacked reports by Shlomi Eldar and Bini Ashkenazi, accusing them of relying on speculation and 'volume' in their reporting, suggesting a pattern of unsubstantiated claims. Ashkenazi defended his original reporting, stating he never claimed to know the passengers' identities but rather reported on claims linking the plane to the Egyptian intelligence chief and a purported security warning, which he said was being investigated. He also criticized his detractors for personal attacks and perceived journalistic missteps. Political commentator Amit Segal sarcastically questioned the extensive coverage given to the Egyptian plane incident, given the new findings. However, Doron Kadosh of Galey Tzahal differentiated the story of the plane from other potential warnings, noting that the new report refutes the specific claim about the intelligence chief's visit but does not necessarily invalidate other separate intelligence channels through which Egypt may have conveyed concerns about Hamas's intentions.