Netanyahu Confirms Egyptian Intelligence Chief's Visit, Contradicting Earlier Office Denial

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that the Egyptian intelligence chief visited Israel, contradicting an earlier statement issued by his office via the National Security Council (NSC). Speaking in an interview on the "HaPatriotim" program, Netanyahu stated that he did not meet with the senior Egyptian official because he was at Mount Herzl at the time.

Previously, in response to an inquiry by Israel Hayom regarding a plane linked to former Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate chief Abbas Kamel, the Prime Minister's Office claimed through the NSC that it had no knowledge of any Egyptian aircraft arriving in the country. The discrepancy has raised questions regarding the flow of information among official bodies.

During the interview, host Yinon Magal pressed Netanyahu on who the Egyptian official had met with. Netanyahu responded by demanding answers, stating: "I am the Prime Minister of Israel, the Egyptian intelligence minister was here, and I want to know who he met with. I am turning to them to find out."