Tel Aviv's warning message to Beirut via Egypt's intelligence chief

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Beirut has witnessed a wave of diplomatic movements in recent days, including the visit of "Hassan Rashad," the head of Egypt's intelligence service, to Beirut. The significance of this trip was that Rashad went to Beirut directly from Tel Aviv. In fact, he was Israel's direct messenger to the Lebanese.

 

Rashad carried the results of his talks with the Israeli side to the Lebanese. These messages contain exaggerated Israeli statements about "being ready to engage in a possible ground military operation," provided that tangible progress is seen in the process of disarming Hezbollah.

 

The Egyptian envoy informed Lebanese officials that the recent Israeli maneuvers were part of the field preparations for a limited ground invasion scenario in southern Lebanon. This scenario involves a hard-fought battle lasting several days, designed to eliminate Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

 

In his meetings with Lebanese officials in Beirut, Rashad emphasized that Cairo “is only a message bearer”; but at the same time, he is also concerned about Israel’s military and political moves. He called on the Lebanese government to “prevent another war by managing the internal situation.”

 

Lebanese sources say that Egypt’s plans for the Lebanon-Israel crisis are an interpretation of the “Gaza model” after the end of the war; that is, disarming Hezbollah, negotiating directly with the United States, and limiting itself to a purely political presence and activity within Lebanon’s borders, without any military branch.

 

Therefore, the proposal presented by Rashad, which is desired by Israel, is the integration of Hezbollah into the official body of the country, through internal security and political agreements and under international supervision. The aim is for this group to become only an active political component in the Lebanese government structure, without a military arm.

 

Why is Cairo so active in the Lebanon issue?

 

Cairo, within a broader framework of international coordination, is trying to take advantage of the post-ceasefire situation in Gaza to restore its regional role. Egypt, through Rashad, is seeking to fill the void left by other Arab actors on the Lebanese scene and resolve the Israeli-Lebanese crisis through security and diplomatic channels.

 

Rashad was attentive to the Lebanese view of the government’s inability to take swift action to disarm Hezbollah, as well as the existence of deep internal divisions and fears of any internal conflict in which foreign interference would play an important role. The Egyptian side has understood these concerns and has confirmed its support for any formula for gradual de-escalation that preserves decision-making authority in the hands of the Lebanese government and prevents a slide into internal conflict.

 

Rashad informed Lebanese officials that his visit is part of a coordinated diplomatic effort with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States, the main goal of which is to prevent war. He explained that Cairo reminded the Lebanese that “the next stage will see successive meetings of the Five-Party Group, and Lebanon must be directly represented in these meetings so that its interests are not left in limbo and ignored without official participation.”

 

The US envoy and his excesses

Following these developments, US envoy Morgan Ortagus also arrived in Beirut. Ortagus reiterated her previous messages about Hezbollah’s disarmament. In addition to Michel Aoun, he met with Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament who is also Hezbollah’s negotiator, and informed him of the Israeli side’s perspective and its repeated claims that Hezbollah is rebuilding its military infrastructure and preparing to attack Israeli settlements in the north, especially near the borders of occupied Palestine.

 

Joseph Aoun is currently consulting with the prime minister, the speaker of parliament, and the commander of the Lebanese army, while simultaneously holding intensive meetings with the leaders of the political forces to reach a comprehensive agreement on the demands raised.

 

Aoun is also holding intensive meetings with Hezbollah’s political leadership to reach a conclusion on the fate of Hezbollah’s disarmament.

 

Israel and Hezbollah’s Position

Regarding Israel’s position, although the regime has increased its level of military preparedness on the northern front, it is heavily involved in internal disputes within the cabinet. Some favor a swift and broad offensive, while others prefer to continue air and intelligence pressure to gradually dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

 

Hezbollah, on the other hand, has not commented on the Egyptian envoy’s visit. However, in his latest speech on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and Sheikh Hashim Safi al-Din, Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated the party’s commitment to its pact, noting: Disarmament means taking away power in line with Israel’s demands and achieving its goals. Hezbollah will not allow its disarmament and will fight a Karbala-style battle. We will confront any plan that serves Israel.