HomeExecutive InterviewsIran Conflict Sparks Risk, And Opportunity, For Egypt: CIB CEO Hisham Ezz Al-Arab
As the regional conflict involving Iran intensifies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a halt, business leaders across the Middle East are considering both the risks and potential opportunities. Hisham Ezz Al-Arab suggests that some oil shipments might shift to the Suez Canal.
As CEO and board member of Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt’s largest private-sector bank, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab sees first-hand how the war is shaking regional financial markets, disrupting emerging economies, and putting pressure on currencies as investors rush toward safe-haven assets.
Global Finance:How is the current war on Iran affecting the economies and the financial sector of the region?
HishamEzz Al-Arab: The region faces a lot of uncertainty as markets react more strongly than they did during last June’s 12-day war. Oil prices crossed the $100/bbl mark for the first time since 2022 as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which controls around 25% of global oil and 20% of gas shipments, in addition to refineries that shut down due to security risks. This poses a key risk on GCC countries, particularly Qatar and Kuwait with both high oil production and reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, as well as increased freight and insurance costs.
GF:What is the impact on Egypt?
Ezz Al-Arab: In the short term, the situation impacts Egypt in terms of the uncertainty. Emerging markets — including Egypt — have seen major portfolio outflows, particularly placing pressure on the Egyptian pound and reversing its progress against the US dollar over the past year to reach an all-time low. This has subsequently triggered a hike in safe-haven assets, including USD and gold, as risk-averse investors have reallocated their investments from emerging markets. In the long term, risks include inflation re-accelerating and Central banks keeping rates on hold.
GF: What is your take on the currency adjustment?
Ezz Al-Arab: I think the central bank (CBE) is doing an excellent job with its flexible approach to managing the exchange market, particularly regarding cash repatriation. With a significant volume of carry trades being unwound — estimated at roughly $7 billion–$8 billion out of a total $35 billion–$40 billion — the CBE has allowed the pound to move from approximately 47 to 53 EGP per dollar. In the past, this was not possible. We had fixed rates, which drove capital away, rather than retaining it. The shift to a flexible exchange rate framework has proven to be a critical tool in absorbing external shocks, and I think the CBE will not hesitate to let the pound gradually drift as long as more money is coming out.
GF:Can you see some opportunities for Egypt?
Ezz Al-Arab: I believe the conflict provides an opportunity for Egypt as it hosts alternatives to the Hormuz Strait: The Sumed pipeline (2.5mb/d capacity), as well as being a possible bridge to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea pipelines (5mb/d capacity). This places Egypt as a strategic partner in the current crisis as well as provides the country with preferential access to a congested oil market.
Additionally, the situation will positively impact the Suez Canal. The ships that used to go through the Strait of Hormuz to reach Gulf nations will likely now unload in Jeddah and Yambu on Saudi Arabia’s Western coast. So whatever is coming from Europe will now go through the Suez Canal with a lower risk, as well as all the traffic coming to Saudi or out of Saudi, even in terms of oil or products. Another potential upside is that recent regional tensions may prompt some travelers to consider alternative destinations, and Egypt remains well-positioned given the strength and diversity of our tourism sector.
GF:How is the situation affecting the 3 million Egyptians employed in the Gulf, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
Ezz Al-Arab: I think whoever doesn’t have a second residence in Egypt will start to think about buying one, and that should have a positive impact on demand for real estate. But on the other hand, we wouldn’t like to see the economy in the GCC being impacted because potential job losses or an exodus of workers could ultimately lead to a decline in remittances.
The Foreign Office has advised against travel to certain countries.
Mia O’Hare Senior Spare Time Reporter and Courtney Eales
09:31, 12 Mar 2026
There’s advice for anyone going to Egypt(Image: murat4art via Getty Images)
At the start of this month, the UK Government issued guidance advising British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to register their whereabouts. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is then able to send them direct updates.
There are roughly 300,000 British nationals in the region, of which over 170,000 have registered their presence with the FCDO. The Foreign Office has been revising its travel guidance for Middle Eastern countries and those in the vicinity, as the ongoing conflict continues to cause significant disruption.
The Government stated it is in discussions with commercial operators and regional countries regarding the arrangement of additional flights, as regional airspace has now partially reopened.
One of the most recent updates from the UK Foreign Office relates to entry into Egypt from Jordan.
Guidance stated: “Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Egypt. Contact ferry operators directly for schedules and availability. Please check travel advice for Jordan for the latest on exit requirements.
“If your stay in Sinai will exceed 15 days, or you are planning to travel in Egypt beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from mainland airports, for example Cairo or Hurghada, you will need an entry visa”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The statement continued: “If entering at Taba Heights, this costs 35 US dollars. If entering at Nuweiba, this costs 30 US dollars. Visas can be purchased at the port terminals. Travellers should obtain USD in cash before travelling given payments are often required in cash.”
Currently, the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to certain regions of Egypt. Ignoring advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office could invalidate your travel insurance.
There is an increased risk of regional tension which could result in travel disruption and other unforeseen consequences. The Foreign Office stated: “British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”
These precautions include:
Subscribing to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts.
Keeping an eye on local and international media for the latest updates.
Signing up to local information alerts/resources and following the instructions of the local authorities.
Avoiding areas surrounding security or military facilities.
The Foreign Office strongly advises against all travel within a 20km radius of the Egypt-Libya border, with the exception of the town of El Salloum, where it recommends only essential travel.
Active military operations targeting criminal activity are ongoing in this area.
It recommends against all travel to North Sinai Governate owing to ongoing criminal activity and terrorist attacks targeting police and security forces that have led to fatalities.
The complete list of areas the FCDO advises against travelling to can be found here.
Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided travel updates, including for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt
11:13, 10 Mar 2026Updated 11:18, 10 Mar 2026
There is travel advice and warnings in place for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has provided travel advice for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt amid the Middle East conflict.
The three countries are popular holiday destinations among Brits, thanks to their sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, diverse landscapes and sprawling resorts along the coastlines. They also deliver sunshine and warm weather from early Spring right through until Autumn, and are typically an affordable option for those seeking a sun-soaked getaway.
Many Brits have already secured their getaways to Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, whether that’s for a stay over Easter or during the summer holidays, or have plans to hit ‘book’. However, the location of the holiday hotspots closer to the conflict in the Middle East than other popular destinations has made the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice all the more important.
As of Tuesday, 10 March, the Foreign Office has not added Cyprus, Turkey or Egypt to its ‘no travel’ list. However, there have been several updates that Brits should be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know…
Cyprus
The latest update from FCDO on Thursday, 5 March, which remains in place today, warned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. It read: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
The advice adds that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” Following the update, the FCDO said the UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
Despite this, there is currently no advice against travel to Cyprus. However, the Foreign Office warned that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” and that “no travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Turkey
The Foreign Office has warned against travel to some areas of Turkey, “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”. This ‘do not travel’ warning applies within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria, which was in place before the Middle East conflict. However, there is no FCDO guidance against travel to any of the popular tourism areas such as Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir, which are 1500-1600km from the border with Iran.
There is also a country-wide warning of “high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals”. The FCDO said most of these attacks have taken place in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. It should be noted that similar warnings have been in place for a number of other countries long before the Iran war.
In an update last week, the FCDO warned that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”. However, it does not advise against travel to other areas in Turkey, with most flights and holidays currently going ahead.
Egypt
As it stands, the Foreign Office “advises against all travel to parts of Egypt” and “against all but essential travel to parts of Egypt”. One warning in place is against travel to within “20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum”, where the FCDO advises “against all but essential travel.”
There are also travel restrictions in place for other parts of Egypt, including North Sinai, the Northern part of South Sinai, the Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, the Western Desert, the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.
The FCDO has also warned of a “heightened risk of regional tension” and “escalation that could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts” for Egypt. There is also a “high threat of terrorist attack” warning in place for Egypt, which was in place prior to the Middle East conflict.
However, the Foreign Office does not advise against all travel to Egypt. They added that around one million Brits travel to Egypt each year and “most visits are trouble-free.”
If you’ve got a holiday on the horizon, it’s best to keep in contact with your holiday provider – although they are currently focusing on those with imminent travel plans. However, given the ever-changing nature of the situation, travel guidance can shift rapidly, and it’s important to check any restrictions before travelling or booking a holiday.
The above travel advice remains current as of Tuesday, 10 March, but it’s best to consult the most recent Foreign Office advice for your destination before finalising any travel arrangements. You can visit the Foreign Office website for information on travel restrictions for each country.
Have you been impacted by travel disruptions? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Brits travelling from the UK to parts of Egypt on the safe list are not being affected.
Some flights from the Middle East to Egypt, such as from Dubai to Doha, are still being disrupted.
However, this wont affected anyone travelling to Egypt from the UK.
What if I have a holiday to Egypt booked?
Package holidays to Egypt are currently unaffected by the Iran crisis.
As Egypt is deemed safe to travel to, tour operators are not obligated to give you a refund if you decide to cancel.
You will be left out of pocket if you decide not to travel to Egypt.
Some cruise companies have cancelled upcoming routes out of caution due to the ongoing conflict.
Viking has cancelled its Nile River cruises until the end of March, along with Avalon Waterways.
And Intrepid has cancelled all Egypt trips up until the end of March.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains: “It is very understandable that travellers would be a little nervous of the proximity of Egypt to the current crisis.
“However, Hurghada and Marsa Alam are hundreds of miles away from the conflict zone and holidays there should not be impacted at all.
The Foreign Office has updated its advice for a number of destinations including Cyprus, Turkey, and Egypt as the Middle East war continues following US-Israel strikes on Iran
The Foreign Office has updated its Egypt travel advice(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for a number of destinations including Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt amidst the chaos of the Middle East war, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Although at the time of writing the UK government isn’t advising against travel to all of these destinations, it has updated its advice around “regional tension” and possible escalations in the areas. For Brits who have travel plans booked, as there isn’t an advisory against travel in general to these countries, holidays and flights in theory can go ahead as planned.
If you’re due to travel in the next few weeks but don’t want to because of the ongoing conflict, you do have a few options. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to cancel and get a full refund, but get in touch with your tour operator or airline, as they may allow you to rebook your trip to a later date, without charging you a fee.
If a company cancels your holiday or flight, then it’s a different story; in this case, you are entitled to a full refund. You may be offered rebooking options which you can take, but if you’d rather get your money back then you are entitled to do so. The same applies if the Foreign Office does issue a ‘do not travel’ warning, as it has done with the UAE. In this case, firms and airlines need to cancel your trip and offer you a full refund. If you try and travel against Foreign Office advice, your travel insurance will be invalidated.
It’s worth noting that airlines and holiday companies are currently prioritising customers due to travel within the next couple of weeks – if your trip is a few months away, you may be asked to get back in touch closer to the time.
Check out the latest travel advice for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt below.
Cyprus travel advice
Currently, the Foreign Office doesn’t advise Brits against travel to Cyprus, with most holidays and flights currently going ahead. However, the UK government has warned of a suspected drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base that took place on March 2. “British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities,” the guidance reads.
Authorities have also updated advice to warn of the “regional escalation” in the area. “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” it states, adding: “British nationals should:
“read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
“sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
“monitor local and international media for the latest information
“sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
“keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.”
Turkey travel advice
Currently, the Foreign Office doesn’t advise Brits against travel to Turkey in general, with most holidays and flights currently going ahead. There is a ‘do not travel’ warning within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”, but this was in place before the Middle East conflict.
Like Cyprus, the advice has also been updated to warn of the “regional escalation” in the area. “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” it states, adding: “British nationals should:
“read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
“sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
“monitor local and international media for the latest information
“sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
“keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.”
Egypt travel advice
The Foreign Office has updated its Egypt travel advice to warn Brits of “a heightened risk of regional tension” following the Middle East conflict. Its latest advice explains: “There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.
“British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances. These include:
read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
monitor local and international media for the latest information
sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
stay away from areas around security or military facilities.”
Currently it doesn’t advise against all travel to Egypt, however it does advise against travel to certain regions of the country. It’s worth noting these advisories are unrelated to the Middle East conflict, and were already in place. These include warning against all but essential travel to the Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai, Northern part of South Sinai, Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate. There is also advice against travelling to the Western Desert including the area west of the nile Valley and Nile Delta Regions, although there are some exceptions such as Luxor and Valley of the Kings (check the Egypt travel advice for full details).
Check the latest air travel status including departures from popular holiday destinations such as Dubai, Cyprus and Egypt after the Iran war forced airports to close and airlines to cancel flights
War in the Middle East is causing flight disruption across the world(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has spread across the Middle East and triggered widespread airspace closures, sparking major disruption to flights, and leaving thousands of British tourists stranded abroad.
Popular holiday destinations including Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are among those to ground all flights or severely limit departures, but the ‘ripple effects’ are also impacting travel to and from a number of other countries, including Cyprus and Turkey.
Here’s all the latest on flight cancellations, cruise ships and your rights if something goes wrong:
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The UK Foreign Office now advise against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
Airspace closures mean flights to and from the United Arab Emirates (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman are almost entirely cancelled, with aviation largely reserved for military and cargo flights.
If you have a flight due soon to one of these countries, you should get in touch with your airline as soon as possible.
While flights to and from Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey are going ahead largely as scheduled, they may be subject to short-notice delays or cancellations, so you should check regularly with your airline before you travel.
Dubai and UAE travel advice
The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.
Your travel insurance could be rendered invalid if you travel against this advice.
British nationals currently in the country should stay indoors due to risk of missile attacks, and the current advice reads: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
Cyprus travel advice
After a suspected Iranian-made drone was fired at the RAF base at Akrotiri, the Foreign Office updated its advice to read: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
“British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
Turkey travel advice
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to “fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.
Egypt travel advice
There is “heightened risk of regional tension” which “could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”, the Foreign Office said.
Which airlines have cancelled flights?
A handful of flights will bring British nationals stranded in the Middle East back to Britain today – but the majority of departures from the region remain cancelled.
The current Emirates flight status is that the airline plans to operate two flights to Heathrow, and one each to Gatwick and Manchester. At least some of these flights will be operated by the airline’s A380 jets, which can each carry up to 615 passengers depending on how they are configured.
Emirates usually operates 146 weekly flights to the UK, which is the equivalent of about 21 per day.
Etihad Airways has scheduled one UK flight on Tuesday, from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow.
Qatar Airways, which usually serves Heathrow and Gatwick from Qatar, said on Tuesday morning that its operations remain suspended because of the closure of Qatari airspace.
British Airways has cancelled its timetabled flights to Heathrow from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai on Tuesday.
The airline told passengers: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East.
“Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”
Passengers with bookings on certain routes up to March 15 are being allowed to amend the date to fly on or before March 29.
Virgin Atlantic axed a flight from Dubai to Heathrow.
What about connecting flights?
You could also be affected if you’re due on a flight that changes at an airport disrupted by the war – such as Abu Dhabi, which acts as a major hub for connecting flights to Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand. Check with your airline in advance if you’re in any doubt.
What if I’m stuck abroad?
British nationals currently in the Gulf have been advised by the Foreign Office to remain indoors and follow local authorities. Plans for evacuation repatriation flights are going ahead, but at a very limited capacity, and you should not make plans around these until you have been contacted by British consular staff.
What are my rights if something goes wrong with my flights?
Don’t cancel your own ticket if your destination or connecting flight is affected – instead, wait for the airline to cancel the flight.
If you cancel voluntarily, you will likely forfeit your right to a full refund or rebooking under UK air passenger rights.
It’s important to check your travel insurance, as standard policies will usually cover extended emergency medical expenses if you are stranded abroad – but many exclude cancellation or curtailment costs arising directly from acts of war.
What about cruise ships?
Thousands of cruise line passengers are currently trapped in ports in the Middle East due to the war in Iran.
At least six well-known ships from big companies, including TUI, are reported to be at a standstill and awaiting news of when they can leave.
Cruise liners affected include TUI Cruises’ ships Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, which are stranded in the ports of Abu Dhabi and Doha. The cruise line has had to cancel its upcoming departures due to the lack of operating repatriation flights.
The MSC Euribia remains docked in the port of Dubai, under strict security measures, with embarkations suspended until further notice.
The ships Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery have also had their departures cancelled and are being kept under supervision in regional ports.
TUI Cruises said in its latest alert: “We are currently monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East region and the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”
Disruption ‘could last weeks’
Last night, US president Donald Trump said the joint US-Israel military operation in Iran could last four to five weeks or “far longer”.
Aviation consultant John Strickland said it could take weeks to clear the backlog of passengers, even if the conflict ends sooner.
He said: “It’s a bit uncertain (when that will happen) because of course it will depend on how long the airspace restrictions remain in place.
“But factoring in the high volumes of normal daily traffic and the high capacity of aircraft such as the A380 and the Boeing 777, plus the fact that other flights covering similar routes operate at high occupancy, then it will certainly be quite a period of time which would likely run into weeks.”
The crossing with Egypt is considered vital for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of critically ill patients.
Published On 1 Mar 20261 Mar 2026
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Israel has closed Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt amid the joint Israeli-United States attacks on Iran.
“Several necessary security adjustments have been implemented, including the closure of the crossings into the Gaza Strip, among them the Rafah Crossing, until further notice,” Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said in a statement.
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The Rafah crossing, located on Gaza’s southern border, had reopened only last month, allowing a limited number of Palestinians to leave for the first time in months, including patients in urgent need of medical care.
The crossing is considered vital for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of critically ill patients.
Virtually all of Gaza’s population of more than two million people was displaced during Israel’s genocidal war on the territory, and the enclave remains heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance.
In mid-February, the United Nations said it continued to face impediments in delivering lifesaving aid to Gaza.
In a February report, Human Rights Watch said Israeli restrictions had contributed to shortages of medicines, reconstruction materials, food and water inside the Strip.
COGAT claimed that sufficient food had entered Gaza since the start of the ceasefire to meet four times the nutritional needs of the population. However, it did not provide any evidence to back its claim.
“The substantial quantities of food that have entered since the beginning of the ceasefire amount to four times the nutritional needs of the population,” the Israeli defence body said. “Therefore, the existing stock is expected to suffice for an extended period.”
It added that “the closure of the crossings will have no impact on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip”, saying it would remain in contact with the international community and provide updates on any developments.
COGAT is the Israeli military body responsible for overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory. Critics say it functions as an instrument of surveillance and control, particularly in enforcing movement restrictions and closures.
Recent comments by United States and Israeli officials supporting the concept of a “Greater Israel” have raised alarm bells across the region and shed light on a vision once only rarely publicly spoken about.
An interview aired last week by the American right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson with US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee started the current furore. Carlson, an influential figure who has been vocally critical of Israel over the past year, repeatedly asked Huckabee whether he supported Israel controlling all the land between the Nile River in Egypt and the Euphrates River in Iraq.
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Huckabee, a Christian Zionist, would not disavow the belief that the Bible promised that land to Israel – even though it now encompasses all or part of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
“It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee said, leading to anger from those countries and others in the region, many of which are close US allies.
Then, speaking on Monday, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that he would support “anything that will allow the Jews a large, broad, strong land and a safe haven for us”.
“Zionism is based on the Bible. Our mandate over the land of Israel is biblical, [and] the biblical borders of the land of Israel are clear … Therefore, the borders are the borders of the Bible,” the apparently secular Israeli politician said.
So what is Greater Israel exactly? And is it really an ultimate goal for some Israeli politicians?
Defining Greater Israel
The most expansionist claim for a Greater Israel is based on a biblical verse (Genesis 15:18-21), which narrates God making a covenant with Abraham that promises his descendants the land between the Nile and the Euphrates.
That would include the Jewish people, with the tribes of Israel believed to be descended through Abraham’s son, Isaac. But it would also include the children of another of Abraham’s sons, Ishmael (Ismail), regarded as the forefather of the Arabs.
Other definitions based on different biblical verses are narrower in their territorial scope and specify that the land of Israel would be promised to the tribes of Israel descended from Isaac.
How has Israel worked to achieve expansion?
The current state of Israel emerged from the British Mandate for Palestine in 1948. The mandate, created by the League of Nations in the wake of World War I and the occupation of Palestine by the British, geographically limited Israel upon its creation.
The 1948 war that followed the end of the mandate led to Israel taking control of all of Mandatory Palestine, with the exception of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
But Israel soon expanded by force – in 1967 it defeated Arab forces and took control of the West Bank and Gaza, as well as Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and Syria’s occupied Golan Heights. Israel continues to occupy all of those regions, with the exception of the Sinai, which it returned to Egypt in 1982.
Since then, Israel has ignored international law and continued occupying Palestinian and Syrian land, and has shown little respect for its neighbours’ sovereignty, occupying more land in Syria, as well as in Lebanon.
How popular is the idea of Greater Israel?
This needs to be broken down into two separate concepts – the expansion of Israel into the territory that immediately borders it, and the most extreme definition of Greater Israel: between the Nile and the Euphrates.
In terms of expansion into its immediate surroundings, Israeli Jews by and large support the annexation of East Jerusalem, which is occupied Palestinian territory, and the Golan Heights.
The Israeli government continues to move towards the de facto annexation of the occupied West Bank. Israeli politicians vary in how open they are in their support for the formal annexation of the West Bank, but most mainstream Israeli politicians are supportive of the illegal Israeli settlements in the territory.
An expansion of Israeli settlements into Gaza is not as popular, but is supported by far-right Israeli parties.
A Greater Israel, including parts of Jordan, or the most irredentist definition between the Euphrates and the Nile, is more controversial. Pre-1948, many Zionists sought not just Palestine but also Jordan for their future state – one of the most important Zionist armed groups at the time, the Irgun, even included the map of both Palestine and Jordan in its emblem.
But after the foundation of Israel this took a back seat, and open calls for a vastly expanded Israel were largely restricted to the fringes. But those fringes – far-right figures like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir – are now in government, reflecting a wider radicalisation within Israeli society itself.
That means the Israeli ‘mainstream’, politicians such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrists like Lapid, are either more open in their support for some form of Greater Israel beyond the West Bank, or less willing to publicly oppose it.
How threatened do regional countries feel?
Regional states have said that the annexation of the West Bank would be a red line, but have been unable to reverse Israel’s occupation.
Hints at a wider expansion have led to an angry reaction from Arab countries. This goes further back than Huckabee’s recent comments. For example, Jordan condemned Smotrich – Israel’s finance minister – when he gave a speech in 2023 at a podium that displayed a map that showed Jordan as part of Israel.
And Huckabee’s support for Greater Israel was roundly condemned by more than a dozen states, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye.
For Arab and Muslim states, the anger at the comments partially emanates from the sense of a lack of respect towards the sovereignty of regional states by a US official. But it also highlights fears that the balance of power in the region is weighted towards an Israel that is increasingly willing to attack across the Middle East, and has little interest in peace.
Even if the takeover of the land between the Nile and the Euphrates is not feasible, a region where Israel is the primary hegemon will likely lead to more attacks, more wars, and, if Israel determines it necessary, more occupation of land.
A popular sun-drenched and culturally rich country has topped the poll as the place to book for Brits heading on holiday this year – but have you been?
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As Brits look towards booking some summer sunshine, the UK’s top trending destination has been revealed – and it’s a sun-drenched country steeped in history just a four-hour plane ride away.
Tour operator Riviera Travel has compared bookings for January and February 2026 to last year’s and discovered the fastest-growing destination has had a 310% increase in demand.
The figures show travellers are increasingly looking beyond typical European destinations and spreading their net to the Middle East and even as far as Southeast Asia. The location with the biggest surge in demand for 2026 is Egypt.
In addition to Egypt’s mostly dry weather that sports lots of sunshine and very little rain, as one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the country has a wealth of unparalleled history.
The Ancient Egyptian civilisation – with a history spanning close to 3,000 years – left a compelling legacy in the many monuments that have stood the test of time. From the mighty pyramids to the impressive temples, sacred chambers, and treasure-filled tombs, there is an abundance of world-famous attractions for travellers to visit.
Many people take the opportunity to cruise down the world-famous Nile while holidaying in Egypt and Will Sarson, travel expert at Riviera Travel, explained why that was proving so popular for holiday makers in 2026.
He said: “Egypt’s 310% surge in interest reflects the timeless draw of the Nile, where travelling by river offers a uniquely immersive way to experience one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Ancient temples, riverside villages and fertile banks unfold gradually, creating a powerful sense of continuity between past and present.
“Time along the Nile allows for deep exploration of monumental sites such as Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, balanced with quieter moments watching daily life along the water. The experience feels both awe-inspiring and surprisingly intimate, with history never far from view.”
The best time to visit the country is between October and April when the daytime temperatures are comfortable, and the nighttime temperatures are cool. The coolest month is January and the hottest are from June to August.
For those wanting to experience some sand and sea as well as some culture, Egypt’s beaches offer something for every kind of traveller. From the snorkel-friendly water in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh to the wildlife-rich bays of Marsa Alam, Egypt’s Red Sea coast lines up some of the country’s best beaches.
Those deciding to visit and stay in one place often travel to the tourist-friendly region of Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, which offer a wide array of child-friendly attractions and hotels.
The Mirror’s Jess Phillips was recently blown away by a visit to Egypt. “I genuinely feel as though I discovered one of Egypt’s best-kept secrets after jetting off from London Gatwick on a direct TUI flight to Marsa Alam International – the country’s first privately owned and operated international airport, which opened in 2003,” she wrote.
“Marsa Alam is a burgeoning coastal resort catering to tourists from around the world. The area is still actively developing – though that definitely doesn’t mean it’s lacking in things to do – and offers the best of both worlds: incredible beaches, perfect blue water, and the more traditional Egyptian desert experiences.”
Egypt is known for its bounteous history, incredible architecture and stunning Nile River – but there’s a hidden side to the country, as Jess Phillips found out during a recent trip
12:50, 24 Feb 2026Updated 12:55, 24 Feb 2026
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Between the haze of desert dust kicked up by the row of quad bikes in front of me and the glowing orange of the setting sun against the horizon, it’s easy to miss the rapidly approaching ocean, those last dying rays of sunlight reflecting off the rolling waves.
I’d be forgiven, I’m sure, for not quite expecting to stumble across the Red Sea in the middle of the desert.
Regardless, that’s exactly what happened when I found myself riding a quad bike through the Marsa Alam sands. Our group pulled up to the shore to look for shells and coral, and for a moment, it felt as though I was on another planet entirely.
Let’s back up for a second. Before last year, I’d never even heard of Marsa Alam. I’m ashamed to say that I couldn’t have pointed it out on a map if you’d paid me for the pleasure.
Now, however, all of that has changed. I genuinely feel as though I discovered one of Egypt’s best-kept secrets after jetting off from London Gatwick on a direct TUI flight to Marsa Alam International – the country’s first privately owned and operated international airport, which opened in 2003.
Marsa Alam is a burgeoning coastal resort catering to tourists from around the world. The area is still actively developing – though that definitely doesn’t mean it’s lacking in things to do – and offers the best of both worlds: incredible beaches, perfect blue water, and the more traditional Egyptian desert experiences.
Though the flight itself was over five hours, the transfer time to my hotel was gratifyingly brief – a mere 15 minutes by TUI-operated minibus. Having arrived at night, it was impossible to make out much of the surrounding scenery as we entered the hotel complex.
The Jaz hotel group is a giant in Egypt. You’ll find their properties tucked away in every nook and cranny. My destination was the Jaz Elite Amara, one of TUI’s all-inclusive offerings for UK visitors. Boasting seven public pools and 18 swim-up rooms, the hotel’s water theme hits straight from the lobby, where you’ll find quietly tinkling fountains as soon as you step through the doors.
Bright and early the next morning, I was ready to experience everything Marsa had to offer. Situated on the coast of the Red Sea, I’d already managed to grab a glimpse of the ocean on my first night, but seeing those turquoise waters up close was truly something else. So how better than to start my trip with a bout of snorkelling, taking off from the nearby resort town of Port Ghalib?
TUI’s snorkelling excursions take off from the port town and take visitors out onto the Red Sea by boat, before stopping over the gorgeous coral reefs to allow intrepid adventurers to spot dugong – better known as sea cows – and turtles frolicking in the clear blue water.
The highlight of my trip to Marsa Alam, however? Exploring the desert.
I headed off on another TUI excursion, a 20-minute drive from the Amara, over to The Camel Yard. The desert safari company offers everything from quad biking and buggy driving to traditional Bedouin experiences, and I was ready for it all.
Our group started off by getting kitted out for the journey – you’ll want to bring sunglasses due to the dust, but the company does provide goggles and scarves to keep the sand out of your face.
Prior to this, I’d never ridden a quad bike, but our instructor – who joyfully told us to refer to him as ‘habibi’, meaning ‘my friend’ in Arabic – made it simple, showing us how to start the engines and accelerate and brake. The bikes don’t have gears, so it was a totally freeing feeling to push the throttle across the dunes and in wide, arcing circles with the rest of my group.
After around an hour and a half on the bikes, with stops by the sea and in the dunes to see the incredible landscape, we headed back to the main tent for our Bedouin evening. If I was impressed by the desert itself, that was nothing compared to learning about the traditional pharmaceutical practices of the nomadic Arab tribes who traverse the desert by camel.
We sampled wellness blends containing eucalyptus to menthol crystals, which did wonders for clearing out the airways, along with spritzing ourselves with Egyptian perfumes, all available to purchase in glass bottles afterwards.
The night was far from over, however, as the desert excursion also included an incredible buffet meal consisting of roast lamb, chicken and an epic array of Egyptian salads, all with a strong blend of spices that made even the blandest foods – potatoes, cucumber, bread – stand out as a new favourite.
While we ate, we were entertained by a belly dancer and the whirling of the Tanoura. Afterwards, we trooped outside to enjoy some stargazing in the pitch black of the night, where Jupiter and Saturn were clearly visible through a telescope.
There was something truly magical about standing under the night sky, with Orion’s Belt and the Big Dipper both visible in the sky. Far from the light pollution of cities like Cairo and Luxor, Marsa Alam felt like an undisturbed paradise, one which transformed from looking like something out of an old episode of Star Trek in the daytime to an ethereal expanse of unbroken sands in the moonlight.
I can sum up Marsa Alam in two simple words – majestic and otherworldly. You’ll find something incredible around every corner, away from the hustle and bustle of city bazaars and ancient Egyptian ruins.
TUI’s all-inclusive bundles are perfect to get a feel for the area, with plenty of excursions and activities to keep you occupied while you explore the hotel complex.
I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Book it
TUI offers weekly flights to Marsa Alam from London Gatwick Airport during winter, as well as its trips to Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor and Cairo. TUI Hotels & Resorts has 57 hotels with more than 17,100 rooms across Egypt.
TUI offers a seven-night holiday to Marsa Alam staying at 5T Jaz Elite Amara on an all-inclusive basis from £1,371 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing a Superior Double Room with Limited Sea View and Balcony departing from London Gatwick Airport on the 19 of April 2026 with 20kgs luggage included. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk.
Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, denounce US ambassador’s remarks suggesting Israel has right to much of the Middle East.
United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has triggered an avalanche of criticism from Arab and Muslim countries after suggesting Israel has a right to expand its territory across a large swath of the Middle East.
Carlson asked Huckabee, a self-professed Christian Zionist and staunch supporter of Israel, to clarify his stance on the Biblical promise of the land spanning the area between the Euphrates River in Iraq and the Nile River in Egypt to the descendants of Abraham, and if the modern Israeli state had the right to claim that lineage.
“It would be fine if they took it all,” said Huckabee.
Such territory would encompass modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and parts of Saudi Arabia.
The US ambassador later appeared to walk back the claim, saying it was “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement”. He also said Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has a right to security in the land it currently holds.
‘Extremist rhetoric’
Huckabee’s comments sparked immediate backlash from neighbouring Egypt and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, which in separate statements called them “extremist”, “provocative” and “not in line with Washington’s official position”.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable”, and called for the US Department of State to provide clarification.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the remarks a “blatant violation” of international law, adding that “Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands.”
Jordan’s foreign ministry dismissed them as “absurd and provocative,” a violation of diplomatic norms and “an infringement on the sovereignty of states in the region”.
“Statements of this nature — extremist and lacking any sound basis — serve only to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions”, the League of Arab States also said in a statement.
Huckabee, whom US President Donald Trump nominated as ambassador in 2024, has long opposed the idea of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people, and denied the existence of an illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Back in 2008, Huckabee went so far as to question Palestinian identity altogether, saying, “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.”
But Israeli law does not clearly demarcate the country’s borders. Israel also occupies the Golan Heights in Syria, which it illegally annexed in 1981.
The US is the only country that recognises Israel’s claimed sovereignty over the Syrian territory, and only since 2019, during Trump’s first term as president.
After its 2024 war with Hezbollah, Israel also set up military outposts in five points inside Lebanon.
Kazakhstan and Kosovo have also pledged to participate, while Egypt and Jordan will provide training for police officers.
Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have pledged to send troops to Gaza, the commander of a newly created International Stabilization Force (ISF) has said during a meeting of United States President Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace.
US Army General Jasper Jeffers, who has been appointed as the head of a future Gaza stabilisation force by Trump’s board, said on Thursday that the Indonesian contingent to the mission has “accepted the position of deputy commander”.
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“With these first steps, we will help bring the security that Gaza needs,” Jeffers said during a meeting of the board in Washington, DC.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was among several world leaders participating in the meeting, said his country would contribute up to 8,000 personnel to the planned force “to make this peace work” in the war-torn Palestinian territory, where Israel’s genocide has killed at least 72,000 people.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said his country will also send an unspecified number of troops, including medical units, to Gaza, while Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said that his country is ready to deploy police officers to Gaza.
Albania, whose prime minister recently made a two-day official visit to Israel, has also said it will contribute troops, while neighbouring countries Egypt and Jordan have said they will participate by training police officers.
Indonesia, which was one of the first countries to commit to sending troops, has sought to reassure potential critics that its participation is intended to ensure international law is upheld in Gaza, amid Israel’s genocidal onslaught.
‘Indonesian troops will not be involved in combat operations’
Indonesia’s foreign minister met with both United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour in New York on Wednesday, in advance of President Subianto’s participation in the Board of Peace meeting.
“Indonesia’s mandate [on troop deployment] is humanitarian in nature with a focus on protecting civilians, humanitarian and health assistance, reconstruction as well as training and strengthening the capacity of the Palestinian Police,” Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a recent statement, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper.
“Indonesian troops will not be involved in combat operations or any action leading to direct confrontation with any armed group,” the ministry said, responding to questions raised over its future role in Gaza by Amnesty International.
The head of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, has voiced concerns that Indonesia risked violating international law through its participation in the Board of Peace and the planned stabilisation force for Gaza.
Hamid warned that Indonesia’s deployment of troops to Gaza “means putting Indonesia at risk of participating in a mechanism that will strengthen violations of International Humanitarian Law”.
“The Peace Council does not include members from the most disadvantaged Palestinians, but instead includes members from Israel, which has for nearly eight decades carried out an illegal occupation and apartheid against the Palestinian people, even committing genocide in Gaza,” Hamid wrote last week in an open letter to the speaker of the People’s Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia.
Palestinians have also voiced concerns that Trump’s Board of Peace will only further entrench Israel’s illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip, as Israeli forces continue to carve out more “buffer zones” and restrict the entry of food and other aid, months into a so-called “ceasefire” with Hamas, during which almost 600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks.
The Gaza stabilisation force differs from other peacekeeping forces deployed by multilateral organisations such as the UN or the African Union.
Indonesia, along with Italy, is one of the largest contributors of troops to UNIFIL, which has repeatedly come under fire from Israeli forces, despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Road accidents, often linked to speeding, claim thousands of lives each year in Egypt.
Published On 20 Feb 202620 Feb 2026
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A collision between a truck and a passenger pick-up in Egypt’s northeastern Port Said province has left 18 people dead, mostly fishermen, and three others injured, according to reports.
The crash at approximately 12:30pm local time (10:30 GMT) on Thursday occurred on the 30 June Axis highway, to the south of Port Said, according to Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram newspaper.
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Survivors of the collision are being treated in hospital, and public prosecutors have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident, according to Al-Ahram.
Images from the scene of the accident posted online showed the aftermath of the crash, with a pick-up truck crushed between two large cargo trucks and debris scattered across the road, The Associated Press (AP) news agency reports.
AP said the pick-up truck was transporting fishermen to work at fish farms in the coastal Port Said area.
Attending the inaugural meeting of United States President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington, DC, on Thursday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly sent his condolences to the victims of the collision and ordered that financial assistance be provided to relatives of the deceased and injured.
Madbouly said in a statement posted on Facebook that he was following up on the incident through reports from the governor of Port Said province.
Deadly road accidents are common on Egypt’s roads and claim thousands of lives each year in crashes often involving microbuses and heavy trucks. Speeding, poor road conditions, and lax enforcement of traffic laws have been cited as contributing factors in collisions.
In June last year, a truck collided with a minibus, killing 19 people, most of them teenage girls, according to local officials.
