Lebanon is bracing for two high-level diplomatic visits this week as ongoing Israeli srtikes have raised fears of a wider confrontation.

Egypt’s intelligence chief Major General Hassan Rashad is expected to arrive in Beirut within hours for a short but significant visit, while Morgan Ortagus, deputy to the U.S. president’s special envoy for the Middle East, is due to follow from Tel Aviv for talks with Lebanon’s top officials.

Ortagus’s agenda includes meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as discussions are expected to focus on recent developments along the Lebanese-Israeli border and preparations for Wednesday’s meeting of the international monitoring committee tasked with upholding the ceasefire.

Rashad’s visit marks the first by a senior Egyptian intelligence official in years, signaling Cairo’s intent to play a more active role in efforts to stabilize the situation in Lebanon. The general will be accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking officers and is expected to meet with Lebanon’s three top officials as well as Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal and Intelligence Chief Brigadier General Tony Kahwagi.

A senior Lebanese official told Asharq Al-Awsat that Rashad’s mission is exploratory rather than prescriptive, aimed at hearing the views of Lebanese leaders and military officials before considering a potential Egyptian mediation effort.

“Rashad is not bringing any ready-made proposals,” the source said. “He’s here to listen, assess, and determine whether Cairo can play a mediating role similar to the one it led between Hamas and Israel with U.S. approval.”

The official dismissed reports that Rashad was carrying an Israeli warning or ultimatum to Lebanon.

“His visit is one of solidarity and consultation, not pressure,” the source said, quoting a senior Arab diplomat who described Cairo’s goal as “helping Lebanon find a way out of the current crisis.”

The source noted that Egypt was the first to support Lebanon’s plan to enforce exclusive state control of arms, as laid out in UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the Lebanese army to extend its authority over all national territory.

Major General Rashad, who reports directly to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has previously been tasked with sensitive political and security missions, including indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel that led to the Gaza ceasefire mechanism.

Rashad met last week in Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who took part in Cairo-hosted ceasefire talks. Rashad also shuttled between Qatar and Israel to help overcome obstacles to the Gaza truce, prompting speculation that he could seek to replicate that mediation model in Lebanon.

Lebanese leaders reportedly welcomed Cairo’s decision to send Rashad, describing it as a positive and stabilizing move.

“The issue is not Lebanon’s refusal to negotiate,” the senior Lebanese official said. “The problem lies in Israel’s continued violations of Resolution 1701, despite U.S. assurances that it would ensure compliance.”

By dispatching Rashad, Egypt is signaling readiness to help defuse the situation in southern Lebanon, but will act only with Beirut’s consent, the source said.

“He’s here to gauge Lebanon’s position. Any mediation will depend on what the Lebanese government requests.”

The official also said Hezbollah would have no grounds to reject an Egyptian initiative if it comes with official Lebanese approval, noting that the group had not opposed Cairo’s previous mediation between Hamas and Israel.

“It’s time for Hezbollah to show humility,” the source said. “Lebanon is paying the price for unilateral decisions that only invite Israeli retaliation. The country is already under enough international and regional pressure.”

Attention now turns to Ortagus’s visit and her planned meetings in Beirut. A parliamentary source said her encounter with Speaker Berri may depend on timing, as it coincides with the legislative session, but it is still expected to take place.

The source said Ortagus would brief Lebanese officials on her border inspection and likely urge the revival of the monitoring committee’s work to reinforce the ceasefire.