Mystery Surrounds Egyptian Intelligence Chief's Pre-Oct. 7 Visit to Israel

According to a report by The Atlantic, Kamel arrived in Israel on a private jet to deliver an urgent warning of an imminent, large-scale Hamas assault. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Channel 14 that Kamel arrived in Israel on that date but denied meeting him, stating he was attending a Yom Kippur War anniversary ceremony at Mount Herzl. Netanyahu questioned who else met with the Egyptian official.

However, former Israeli security chiefs have denied any knowledge of or participation in such a meeting. A Kan News investigation found that the then-heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, and Military Intelligence were not present. Tsachi Hanegbi, who was then head of the National Security Council, and his relevant department head also denied attending or having any knowledge of the visit.

Furthermore, an investigation by Channel 12 disputed the claim that Kamel was even on the flight. According to Channel 12, document verification showed that the Egyptian business jet carried two Egyptian businessmen who entered through standard airport border control, rather than Kamel. The aircraft, operated by Smart Aviation, landed around 10:00 a.m. and returned to Cairo empty an hour later.