As the Paris 2024 Olympics prepare to open, the event is facing a complex web of political tensions and security concerns, with reports of potential threats to the event putting the French organisers on high alert.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned his French counterpart of potential terrorist threats against Israeli athletes during the Games, citing concerns about possible attacks by "Iranian satellites".

In a letter to his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne, Katz wrote, "This concern underscores the importance of our shared commitment to ensuring the safety of all participants."

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin previously announced that several national delegations, including those from Israel, Iran, Palestine, the United States, and Ukraine, are considered at higher risk and will receive additional security.

Israeli delegates will be accompanied by special forces throughout their stay in France. Darmanin stated that Israel and the United States have been granted permission to use their own police officers to protect their national teams.

Iran has not stated whether it has asked to bring its own special forces to the French capital. 

Tehran has so far not discussed the political issues of the Olympics with the incoming president-elect Masoud Pezehskian offering words of encouragement to the Iranian Olympic team. 

Security for the Games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will be provided by approximately 45,000 French police and gendarmes, as well as around 20,000 military personnel. This robust security presence underscores the heightened concerns surrounding the event.

On July 19  Reuters reported that it spoke with more than a dozen people with knowledge of the intelligence drive in Paris launched in the wake of major jihadist attacks in Iran and Russia this year that authorities say were carried out by Tajik members of Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP, or ISIS-K).

A double suicide bombing at a memorial ceremony took place in Iran in January. In outer Moscow in March, gunmen opened fire at concertgoers at Crocus City Hall, killing more than 140 people.

Biggest protests in any Olympics

Meanwhile, calls to boycott Israel's participation in the Olympics have intensified. The Palestinian Olympic Committee had urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Israel, citing the death of nearly 400 Palestinian athletes and destruction of sports facilities in Gaza.

In their appeal to IOC President Thomas Bach, they said that Palestinian athletes, "especially those in Gaza, are deprived of safe passage and have suffered greatly due to ongoing conflicts."

However, IOC President Thomas Bach rejected the request, stating, "The position of the International Olympic Committee is very clear. For us, these are two countries with two different National Olympic Committees, and this is the difference between sport and politics."

This stance contrasts with the IOC's previous decision to ban Russia and Belarus from international competitions following the Ukraine conflict, a move seen as explicitly political. The ban included prohibitions on hosting international events in these countries and displaying their national flags, anthems, or symbols at international sporting events.

Protests are expected at Israel's first Olympic football match against Mali at the Parc des Princes stadium.

The Guardian reported that pro-Palestinian activists plan to stage peaceful demonstrations inside the stadium.

Suzanne Shields, a member of a French activist group behind recent protests, told the newspaper, "A peaceful protest will be held inside the stadium against the genocide in Gaza."

Critics argue that the IOC's decision to allow Israeli participation contradicts its core commitments.

The IOC's charter includes pledges to "promote a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity" and "respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." Some activists contend that by allowing Israeli athletes to compete, the IOC is effectively "whitewashing the blood-stained image" of Israeli forces.

The controversy surrounding Israel's participation comes against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Since mid-October, more than 40,000 people have reportedly been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, leading to increased calls for action from the international sporting community.