Netanyahu Confirms Egyptian Spy Chief Visited Israel Before Oct. 7 Attack

International media reports, including from The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal, indicate that Kamel arrived to deliver a warning that the terrorist organization Hamas was preparing a major, imminent operation from Gaza. According to these reports, Kamel urged Israel to take the threat seriously and suggested economic concessions to avert a disaster, warning that Gaza was about to blow up. Netanyahu's office had previously denied receiving any such advance warnings from Egypt.

Netanyahu has requested that security and law enforcement agencies identify who Kamel met with during his stay, claiming that someone who met the Egyptian official is trying to place the blame on him. Investigations by Kan News indicate that top Israeli security officials at the time, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, Mossad director Dedi Barnea, and Military Intelligence head Aharon Haliva, did not meet with Kamel. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana stated that Kamel likely met with a senior security official and called for an investigation.

Netanyahu's claim that heads of state do not typically meet with intelligence chiefs was challenged by commentators, who pointed out that Netanyahu's own office had publicized a meeting between him and Kamel in May 2021. Former Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Avi Gill had also previously confirmed the landing of the Egyptian intelligence plane. Separately, former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is suing Netanyahu for defamation.