Egyptian media is continuing its widespread coverage of the arrest of Ilan Grapel, the Israeli-American accused of spying for Israel's Mossad. Egypt's al-Ahram newspaper reported over the weekend that U.S. Consulate officials in Cairo met with Grapel and told him he was "in big trouble." According to the report, the officials told Grapel, who also holds U.S. citizenship, that the "U.S. was trying its best to help you, but you should be aware that obtaining your release is a complicated issue."
A senior Egyptian Foreign Ministry official, however, told Israel Hayom over the weekend that there was intensive diplomatic activity behind the scenes by U.S. Embassy officials in Cairo in an effort to bring the issue to a close. Top U.S. State Department officials are also involved in the effort, speaking with their counterparts in the Egyptian government and Supreme Military Council, the Egyptian official said. He added that the widespread coverage the Grapel case was receiving in the Egyptian media was holding up a resolution to the issue and delaying Grapel's deportation.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian press continues to reveal details about Grapel's alleged "spy missions." Al Gomhoria published a report over the weekend stating that as soon as the "uprising against Mubarak started, Grapel received instructions from his Mossad handlers to return to Egypt, pretend to be a foreign correspondent and foment sectarian strife between Muslim and Copts."
Other media outlets report that Grapel formed friendships with innocent civilians and tried to recruit them as spies.
Meanwhile, Lebanese news websites reported over the weekend that Lebanese intelligence services arrested senior Hezbollah operatives suspected of spying for Israel. The reports stated that one of those arrested was the liaison between Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. Another suspect is a relative of a senior Hezbollah official.