Sudan: Paramilitary leaders accused of atrocities allegedly met with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv
They are said to have met with officials from the Africa Division of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as representatives of the intelligence services.
Senior officials of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary organization involved in the Sudanese civil war, are reported to have made several discreet visits to Israel during the conflict, according to an investigation published by Africa Intelligence.
The media outlet claims that two delegations linked to the RSF traveled to Tel Aviv, one in May 2025 and the other in February 2026. They reportedly met with officials from the Africa Division of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as representatives of the intelligence services.
The first delegation reportedly included Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the number two of the RSF and brother of their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, as well as another family member, Algoney Hamdan Dagalo. The two men are said to have returned to Israel during a second visit in February 2026, this time accompanied by the organization’s legal adviser.
Still according to Africa Intelligence, these exchanges did not originate with the civil war that broke out in April 2023. They are part of an older relationship, including security and intelligence contacts as well as, according to the media outlet, transfers of technology and surveillance equipment to officials close to the RSF.
Nevertheless, this information has not been officially confirmed by Israel and does not, on its own, establish that Israel provided military support to the RSF during the war.
The revelations are attracting even more attention because the Rapid Support Forces are facing serious accusations of human rights violations in Sudan, particularly in Darfur. International investigations have reported massacres, sexual violence, abductions, and abuses against civilians. The RSF deny these accusations.
Abdel Rahim Dagalo is himself subject to international sanctions due to his role in the organization’s operations and the violence committed in Darfur.
The RSF also maintains close ties with the United Arab Emirates, which are regularly accused of providing them with support, something that Abu Dhabi denies.
If confirmed, these meetings would illustrate the complexity of the diplomatic and security networks surrounding the Sudanese war, where unofficial contacts between regional actors continue despite accusations of atrocities against some of the parties involved.