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Israel Boosts Presence Along Lebanon Border, Expects Another Attempt by Hezbollah

UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) patrol the border with Israel, in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, Lebanon July 28, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) patrol the border with Israel, in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, Lebanon July 28, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
    Beirut, Tel Aviv- Asharq Al-Awsat
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Israel Boosts Presence Along Lebanon Border, Expects Another Attempt by Hezbollah

UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) patrol the border with Israel, in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, Lebanon July 28, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) patrol the border with Israel, in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, Lebanon July 28, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher

The Lebanese government is preparing to file a complaint with the United Nations against Israel over the latest border escalation, linking the security clash to Tel Aviv’s attempt to amend the tasks of the international peacekeeping forces operating in the South (UNIFIL) and to change the rules of engagement with Lebanon.

A cautious calm prevailed in the southern region on Tuesday following shelling in the occupied Chebaa Farms. Tel Aviv said it thwarting a Hezbollah attack, while the movement asserted that it was unilateral shooting.

“[Hezbollah] affirms that there has been no clash or shooting on its part in the events of the day until now. Rather, it was only one party, which was the fearful, anxious, and tense enemy,” a statement by Hezbollah said.

According to the Israeli account, the shelling began when Hezbollah members penetrated the border and tried to reach an Israeli military site in the occupied Chebaa farms. An Israeli official said that his forces have deliberately abstained from killing the four cell members, in order to prevent Hezbollah from exploiting the clash in its favor.

Tuesday’s calm was breached by intense flights by Israeli military jets in the areas of the South, Metn, and Mount Lebanon. Jets flew at medium altitude according to a report by the National News Agency (NNA).

The Lebanese Army registered 29 hostile air violations, during which circular flights were carried out over the southern regions on Monday. Hezbollah and the Israeli army remain on high alert on both sides of the border despite the relative calm after the shelling.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited on Tuesday the headquarters of the northern military region and held consultations with senior military officials.

“Our operation was an important one, in which we thwarted a penetration of our lands. All that is happening now is an attempt by Iran and its proxies in Lebanon to strengthen their military presence in our region. Nasrallah serves this Iranian interest at the expense of the Lebanese state. I do not invite anyone to test the Israeli army’s [capabilities]... We are determined to defend ourselves,” he said.

Military sources said that Israel was expecting another attempt by Hezbollah to carry out a retaliatory operation against the killing of its field commander, Ali Kamel Mohsen, by an Israeli airstrike on a site near Damascus 10 days ago.

The sources expected that the operation would take place around Eid al-Adha this week.

The Lebanese authorities are seeking to address the security development diplomatically. Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti condemned the shelling in remarks following a cabinet session on Tuesday.

“We will file a complaint to the Security Council and we will stress our adherence to the extension of UNIFIL tasks without amendments,” he said.

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Can Tourism Help Revive Egypt-Iran Relations?

Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency
Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency
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Can Tourism Help Revive Egypt-Iran Relations?

Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency
Egypt’s Sisi meeting the Iranian Foreign Minister in Cairo – Egyptian Presidency

Iran has reiterated its desire to strengthen ties with Egypt, expressing hope for a memorandum of understanding to facilitate tourism between the two countries.

While analysts say tourism could serve as a key channel for reviving relations, they stress that Cairo remains committed to a cautious, gradual approach in its dealings with Tehran.

Speaking to Iran’s official IRNA news agency on Monday, Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri said bilateral talks have been held to resume relations with Cairo, adding that the government’s strategy aims to “reopen the path to Egypt”.

“Egypt, with its population of 115 million, has immense cultural, heritage and religious potential,” Amiri said.

“There is a genuine interest among Egyptians in developing ties with Iran, and both governments have the political will to move forward”.

He emphasized the importance of establishing formal diplomatic relations, noting that “significant steps have already been taken and there are no major obstacles to expanding tourism.”

Amiri said Tehran is eager to sign a tourism-focused memorandum of understanding with Cairo.

“The first round of talks has been held, and the negotiations are set to continue,” he said, calling for “the removal of any remaining hurdles”.

Amiri pointed to a recent visit to Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying the groundwork had been laid for building diplomatic and tourism ties. “With the foreign minister’s presence and efforts, political relations will resume, and that will pave the way for deeper cultural engagement”.

Araghchi visited Egypt earlier this month and met President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. In a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Araghchi described the talks as unprecedented and constructive, highlighting “an advanced path toward cooperation and convergence”.

He said the two sides had agreed to maintain political consultations and work on boosting trade and tourism.

Abdelatty announced the launch of a new channel for political dialogue below the ministerial level to address various aspects of the relationship.

Amiri said Iran has invited Egyptian private sector companies to participate in large-scale tourism projects and voiced Tehran’s readiness to facilitate air and land travel, including joint historical and religious tours.

He called for activating joint hotel and tourism ventures under strategic agreements between the two nations.

Huda Raouf, a political science professor and head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Egyptian Center for Thought and Strategic Studies, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “tourism is one of the sectors with the most potential for a breakthrough in Egypt-Iran ties, especially with Iran’s interest in religious tourism”.

But she added that Cairo remains cautious. “While Egypt is open to dialogue with Iran on several files, it is taking a deliberate and measured approach to deepening relations.”

Raouf noted that Egypt is in contact with Iran on key regional issues, including Red Sea security and the Gaza Strip, but is proceeding “with calculated steps”.

She said full normalization would only come “at a time aligned with Egypt’s national interests”.

She also pointed out that the easing of entry procedures for Iranian tourists currently applies only to South Sinai.

In March 2023, Egypt announced a package of measures to boost foreign tourism, including a provision allowing Iranian tourists to obtain visas upon arrival at airports in South Sinai.

The plan, which required tourists to travel in organized groups and through pre-coordinated tour operators, was welcomed by Tehran at the time.

Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Hussein Haridy told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran’s push to promote religious tourism in Egypt is not new. “Cairo continues to adopt a gradual approach to building ties with Tehran,” he said.

“Developing political and diplomatic relations will have a spillover effect on other areas,” Haridy added, but cautioned that progress will unfold at a pace suitable to both sides. He linked any acceleration in bilateral engagement to the outcome of ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

This is not the first time Iran has sought to establish tourist links with Egypt. Between 2011 and 2013, similar efforts were made but failed to yield results.

The two countries severed diplomatic ties in 1979, with limited relations restored in 1990 at the chargé d’affaires level. Over the past two years, Egyptian and Iranian ministers have held multiple meetings to explore avenues for improving ties.

Ambassador Rakha Ahmed Hassan, another former Egyptian assistant foreign minister, said tourism may be the easiest entry point for broader engagement.

“There have already been discussions about launching direct flights between the two countries,” he said. “There is no fundamental reason preventing a closer relationship”.

Hassan highlighted Iran’s interest in religious tourism and sites associated with the Prophet’s family in Egypt.

Araghchi’s recent visit to Cairo included prayers at the historic Hussein Mosque and dinner at the iconic Naguib Mahfouz restaurant in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, accompanied by prominent Egyptian figures, including former foreign ministers Amr Moussa, Nabil Fahmy and Mohamed el-Orabi.