UPDATE – Egyptian intelligence chief meets Israeli prime minister

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel on Wednesday met with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, local media reported.

Bennett’s office said in a statement that Kamel extended an official invitation to the Israeli premier, on behalf of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, to visit Cairo in the coming weeks.

Talks between the two sides took up “the political, security and economic dimensions of the Israeli-Egyptian relations” and Egyptian mediation of the security situation in Gaza, the statement said.

After meeting with Bennett, Kamel headed to Ramallah, where he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Kamel is expected to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz later on Wednesday, according to the Israeli Walla news website.

The intelligence chief’s visit was not previously announced.

Egypt carries out mediating efforts between Israel and the Palestinians to establish a cease-fire in Gaza.

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*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat