Cairo, Egypt – In a surprising move, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi has reassigned Abbas Kamel, Egypt’s long-serving intelligence chief, who has been a pivotal figure in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas. Kamel, previously seen as the second-most powerful person in Egypt, has been appointed as a special advisor to the president, raising questions about whether this shift signals a promotion or demotion, especially amidst the stalled hostage negotiations.
During his tenure, Kamel built influential relationships with intelligence agencies in the U.S. and Israel and played a key role in the November 2023 negotiations that led to the temporary release of hostages held by Hamas. However, continued efforts to secure the release of remaining captives have repeatedly failed.
Kamel’s reassignment comes as Egypt grapples with heightened tensions in the Middle East. His replacement, Hassan Rashad, formerly Kamel’s deputy, assumes the role of intelligence chief at a critical moment. Rashad’s appointment coincides with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Egypt as part of a regional diplomatic tour aimed at addressing the escalating Israel-Gaza conflict and Hezbollah’s involvement.
Rashad has overseen Egypt’s often-fraught relationship with Iran, and his elevation comes shortly before further diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. Iran’s involvement in the conflict has intensified following its October missile attacks on Israel, further complicating the ongoing hostilities. With these changes in leadership, Egypt’s role in brokering peace across the volatile region remains uncertain.
