Egyptian Informant to Israel, Ashraf Marwan Dies Unexpectedly in London

Recruited in the spring 1969, Marwan is former Egyptian President Nasser’s son-in-law and a confidant of Egyptian President Sadat. The Mossad’s highest-ranking officers handle him. He provides information to Israel prior to the 1973 war on matters relating to Egypt’s war plans, armaments, and date of the war’s initiation. It is unclear how much he influences Israeli politicians in their decision not to call up more reserve troops prior to the war’s outbreak. The day before he dies, Marwan tells a contact that he had just finished writing, “What Happened in October 1973,” a manuscript which was never located.