Israeli premier meets with Egypt’s intelligence chief

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Sunday with Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, who is in Israel on the first stop of his regional tour.

Meeting at Netanyahu's office in West Jerusalem, the two discussed the establishment of a permanent cease-fire between Israel the Palestinian resistance group Hamas after Israel's recent attacks on Gaza, the reconstruction of Gaza and the extradition of Israeli soldiers and citizens being held by Hamas.

They also discussed strengthening cooperation between Israel and Egypt as well as regional issues, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.

Kamel and Netanyahu also focused on the mechanisms to prevent resources being sent for Gaza’s reconstruction from being used to increase the military power of Hamas, said the statement.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen and National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat also took part in the meeting.

Egypt has not yet made any statement regarding the meeting.

Kamel’s visit to Israel coincides with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi's visit to Cairo for talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.

Earlier, Hamas' military wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades announced that four Israelis, including two soldiers, had been taken prisoner during Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2014. No additional information was provided.