ISRAELI officials reportedly held secret meetings with senior figures from a Sudanese paramilitary group accused of genocide and other atrocities.
Two delegations representing Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) travelled secretly to Tel Aviv during the conflict, according to a report by French investigative outlet Africa Intelligence.
The visits are reported to have taken place in May 2025 and February 2026, with members of the delegations said to have met officials from the Africa Division of Israel's Foreign Ministry as well as Israeli intelligence personnel.
The RSF has faced widespread allegations of atrocities during the civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023 when fighting erupted between the paramilitary group and the Sudanese Armed Forces.
UN investigators have detailed mass killings, rape, abductions, deliberate starvation and ethnic targeting by the RSF during its capture of El Fasher in Darfur.
In February, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan said its investigation had found "hallmarks of genocide" during the RSF's capture of the city.
The RSF has rejected accusations against it.
The National previously reported that a senior figure in the political wing of the RSF was due to attend an official UK Government event in England.
Nasredeen Abdulbari, who is linked to the paramilitary group, was invited to speak at an event at Wilton Park, a Foreign Office venue for international talks.
A Foreign Office source described the event as an opportunity to bring political actors together to promote dialogue about the future of Sudan.
The latest report from Africa Intelligence alleges that the RSF's contacts with Israeli officials formed part of a security and intelligence relationship which predated the outbreak of the civil war.
According to the outlet, the first delegation included Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy to RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – widely known as Hemedti – as well as their brother Algoney Hamdan Dagalo.
The pair are reported to have returned to Israel in February this year, when they were joined by the RSF's legal adviser.
Africa Intelligence further claimed that contacts between Hemedti's associates and Israeli officials had included co-operation on security and intelligence matters over a number of years.
Some of the allegations reported by the outlet also concern the transfer of surveillance technology and equipment to officials linked to the RSF.
However, the allegations have not been officially confirmed and the report does not establish that Israel provided assistance to RSF forces during the civil war.
Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo is subject to international sanctions over his role in the conflict.
European documents have described him as playing a central role in the RSF's military operations and bearing responsibility for actions threatening peace and stability in Darfur, including violence and human rights abuses.
The RSF has also previously been reported to have links with the United Arab Emirates.
