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Five-Way Summit Anticipated in Egypt

The Egyptian President and his Emirati counterpart in New Alamein on Sunday (Egyptian Presidency)
The Egyptian President and his Emirati counterpart in New Alamein on Sunday (Egyptian Presidency)
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Five-Way Summit Anticipated in Egypt

The Egyptian President and his Emirati counterpart in New Alamein on Sunday (Egyptian Presidency)
The Egyptian President and his Emirati counterpart in New Alamein on Sunday (Egyptian Presidency)

Arab and regional observers have turned their eyes towards Egypt’s northwestern coastal city of New Alamein, where the North African state is expected to hold a five-way summit that will see the participation of leaders from Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, and Iraq.

Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a summit in New Alamein with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as a host of regional and international issues.

The two leaders also agreed during the summit on the importance of bolstering Arab joint efforts to confront common challenges facing the Arab World, Egypt's presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

They called for coordinated efforts to find long-term solutions to regional crises to bring about security, stability and peace for the region and its peoples, it added.

They also vowed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, especially on the economy and development, to support their aspirations towards achieving sustainable development, progress and prosperity, according to the statement.

Local Egyptian media, including the semi-official channel Extra News, quoted a source it described as “informed” that “the leaders of Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq will hold an upcoming summit in the city of New Alamein.”

However, the source did not specify the date.

Extra News reported that the quint summit will be held upon the invitation of Sisi and under the framework of coordination among nations.

The summit chiefly aims to serve common Arab work and promote Arab-Arab relations in the face of international and regional challenges.

In the past few months, meetings of several Arab leaders were held in different locations.

In June, Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan agreed in a summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh on the importance of strengthening ties between the three nations to “the highest levels”, especially amid the international and regional challenges.

During the summit, Sisi said Egypt aspires to further cooperation with Bahrain and Jordan to achieve the common interests of the peoples of the three nations as well as boost joint Arab action, particularly amid great challenges of multiple regional and international developments.

The Bahraini and Jordanian kings praised "the inextricable" ties binding the three countries, stressing their keenness to elevate cooperation with Egypt to the level of strategic partnership.

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Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.