Exiled Gaza security chief Dahlan met with multiple Shin Bet officials in recent years - report

Lead

An Israeli public broadcaster has reported that Israel's Shin Bet director, David Zini, met with Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah security chief who has been in exile in Abu Dhabi since 2011. According to a report by KAN News, as covered by the Jerusalem Post, Zini met Dahlan during a visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Shin Bet declined to comment on the matter, stating, "We do not comment on the chief's schedule."

The report says Dahlan has been described as "the most powerful man in the Gaza Strip" by a source cited by KAN, largely because of his fundraising abilities.

Coverage Comparison

The story was covered by several articles in the Jerusalem Post, each drawing on the KAN News report as the starting point. While the core fact—the meeting between Zini and Dahlan—is consistent across the coverage, the articles include context about Dahlan's background, his potential role in postwar Gaza, and the involvement of other Israeli officials in the region.

One article notes that earlier in May, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice, in March and April, during Operation Roaring Lion—an Israeli military operation in Gaza—to coordinate on the war. KAN had also reported at that time that Zini had visited the UAE, and that the two countries were coordinating on security issues.

Key Claims

• Meeting between Dahlan and Shin Bet chief: According to KAN News, as relayed by the Jerusalem Post, Shin Bet director David Zini met Dahlan in the UAE. The claim is attributed to regional and Israeli sources, though the Shin Bet denied comment.
• Dahlan's exile: Dahlan has been in Abu Dhabi since 2011, after a falling out with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This is stated in multiple sources.
• Dahlan's influence: A source told KAN that Dahlan is "the most powerful man in the Gaza Strip," citing his fundraising capabilities. This characterization is an opinion from a single source and not independently verified.
• Potential role in Gaza: The WSJ reported in 2024 that US, Israeli, and Arab officials considered Dahlan as a candidate to lead Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war. This is a reported consideration, not a confirmed plan.
• Other activities: The reports mention that Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE during Operation Roaring Lion to coordinate on war matters, reflecting broader Israeli-UAE security coordination.

Perspectives

• Israeli perspective: The report indicates that Israeli security officials have had direct contact with Dahlan, who is seen as a significant figure in Gaza due to his fundraising and political connections. The reported meeting suggests ongoing informal dialogue between Israeli officials and potential future leaders in Gaza.
• Palestinian political perspective: Dahlan is a controversial figure who fell out with Abbas and has lived in exile. His consideration as a possible postwar leader reflects the uncertainty about Gaza's governance and the role of different factions within Palestinian politics.