The events surrounding the attack against the Israeli Embassy in Cairo over the weekend are being released, and it is evident that the events were significantly more serious than they first appeared.

It is now being revealed that in the incident that occurred in the Cairo Embassy on Friday, once the six Israeli security agents in the embassy realized they cannot extricate the diplomatic staff via chopper of through a window, they barricaded everyone into the room. Israel Radio reported there were a least 50 protestors on the roof of the compound and they were using metallic rods to bang on the embassy windows. This prompted security agents to begin firing warning shots.

According to security agent Yonatan, who was on the line with the Foreign Ministry situation room, it was clear the situation was grave and the protestors were only separated from the diplomatic team by one remaining door. At about 4:00am, there was a conference call between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Egyptian Chief of Intelligence General Murad Muwafi and ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yoram Cohen, Yonatan, and the commander of the Egyptian commando force.

The Israelis were first instructed to put on yellow hats to identify them so they commando force does not fire at them, but the commando chief scrapped this, explaining they will be identified too easily by the mob as well. Ultimately, kefias (Arab headdress) were brought to them to wear to identify them and towards assisting in extricating them from the building.

Israel made numerous attempts to reach Egypt’s Supreme Military Council head Mohamed Hussein Tantawi but there was no response. According to American sources, government officials tried for some two hours before reaching the necessary officials, warning the Egyptians that failure to end the embassy siege immediately would result in dire consequences.

In essence, as details are being released, it appears the incident at the Cairo Embassy was significantly worse than indicated earlier. After Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was unable to reach Egypt’s leader he turned to the chief of intelligence, General Murad Muwafi. In the meantime, Defense Minister Ehud Barak contacted United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, seeking his direct intervention. Only after Panetta explained a tragic outcome to the situation would have dire consequences did Egypt activate the commando force.

At Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting, Minister of Intelligence & Atomic Energy (Likud) Dan Meridor stated that we mustn’t take the alliance between Israel and the United States for granted, indicating that once again the White House has proven it is a solid ally of Israel, which in this case played a vital role. He praised President Barak Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Other government officials interviewed by Israel Radio concurred, some adding that if not for America’s role, the ambassador and others would not be alive today.

In his comments to the weekly cabinet session, Defense Minister Ehud Barak agreed, adding “we were a hair away from the loss of lives”. When asked about returning the ambassador, Barak explained this demands looking at a bigger picture, which includes the situation vis-à-vis Turkey and the PA (Palestinian Authority) as well.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)