Full Breakdown
Egyptian Intelligence Chief’s September Visit and Netanyahu’s Denial of Direct Contact
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 26, 2023, former Egyptian General Intelligence Service head Abbas Kamel landed at Ben-Gurion Airport for a brief stay, according to flight-record data cited by multiple investigations. The visit occurred eleven days before the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel. In a televised interview on Channel 14, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Kamel’s presence but asserted that he did not meet or speak with the Egyptian official, stating that he was attending a memorial ceremony for fallen IDF soldiers at the time.
Background & Context
The Atlantic’s September investigation reported that Kamel warned Israeli officials that Hamas was preparing a “major attack” and urged economic concessions in Gaza to avert escalation. The Wall Street Journal and Yedioth Ahronoth later cited additional Egyptian alerts, including a phone call in early October. These reports suggest a pattern of regional warnings that preceded the Oct 7 attack.
Official Statements & Responses
- Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that “we are identifying attempts by our enemies, led by Iran and its proxies, to carry out attacks that would influence the results of the election in Israel,” linking the controversy to upcoming electoral security concerns.
- The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement denying any direct contact between Netanyahu and Kamel and asserting that no Israeli intelligence official conveyed an Egyptian warning to the prime minister.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition figures have seized on the episode as evidence of possible negligence, arguing that senior Israeli officials, not the prime minister, received the Egyptian warning.
Data & Statistics
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact nature of Kamel’s interaction with Israeli officials. The Atlantic states that the identity of the Israeli interlocutor is “unclear,” while Yedioth Ahronoth claims Kamel spoke directly with Netanyahu in the days before Oct 7. The Prime Minister’s Office maintains that no such meeting occurred. Additionally, the precise content of the Egyptian warning varies: some reports emphasize economic concessions, others focus on an imminent “major attack.” These discrepancies have not been resolved publicly.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I know who he didn't meet. He didn't meet with me because I was attending a memorial ceremony for fallen IDF soldiers, so it was a lie from the outset,” — Benjamin Netanyahu
- “He didn't meet with me, he didn't speak to me. Since when does an intelligence chief speak with a head of state?” — Benjamin Netanyahu
- “He met someone here. The question is whom,” — Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana
What’s Next
The Israeli election is scheduled for October 27, 2026. Netanyahu has indicated that Iran and its proxies may attempt attacks to influence the vote, and defense officials continue to monitor potential threats. Opposition leaders have called for a formal inquiry into the September 26 visit and the handling of foreign warnings, suggesting the issue will remain a focal point of the campaign.