Netanyahu Confirms Egyptian Intelligence Chief's Pre-Oct 7 Visit to Israel, Denies Meeting

In an interview with Channel 14, Netanyahu stated he was attending a memorial ceremony for fallen IDF soldiers during the visit and did not meet with the Egyptian official. He questioned the protocol of foreign intelligence heads meeting directly with heads of state, asserting he never met an intelligence chief in that manner. However, according to Kan News and Maariv, official records and photographs show Netanyahu previously met Kamel at his residence in Jerusalem in May 2021.

Netanyahu suggested that other Israeli officials met with the Egyptian visitor and were trying to shift blame onto him. He called on security and law enforcement agencies to review documentation and cameras to identify who met with Kamel.

According to Kan News, Kamel's secret visit took place on September 26, 2023, 11 days before the attack by the terrorist organization Hamas, during which Kamel reportedly warned that Hamas was preparing a major assault. The Prime Minister's Office previously denied receiving warnings from Egypt.