The 33rd edition of the Paris Olympics began on Friday with an opening ceremony staged along the Seine River. Hours before the ceremony, the French railway company disclosed that several fires had disrupted high-speed train services in the north and east of France and French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, described the situation as “the greatest security challenge in peacetime.” In response, the French government has enforced strict security measures to mitigate potential terrorist threats, which many Parisians consider excessively restrictive. Areas once bustling with activity, including shops and cafés, are now deserted as residents and tourists avoid the heavily secured central zones.

The city has been divided into “grey” and “red” zones, with 44,000 barriers and metal fences installed. Vehicles are barred from the red zone, and pedestrians must have a QR code to enter or move through this area. The code is available only to residents or those working in the zone. Several metro stations in central Paris are closed for security and will remain shut until after the Games. Media outlets are providing navigation guides for the city, and many residents are either on vacation or working remotely.

THE ISRAEL ISSUE

Darmanin believes that a large-scale, externally coordinated terrorist attack is unlikely. In response to an Israeli Foreign Minister’s warning about potential threats from terrorist groups targeting Israeli athletes, Darmanin stated that “no such information has been received” and that any terrorist activities are expected to be “domestic.” He emphasized that “neither France nor the foreign security and intelligence services assisting us have identified any specific threats.” Efforts are underway to keep suspicious individuals away from Olympic venues. Recent detainees, including a Russian citizen, have all been long-term residents. France has also barred 4,355 individuals from entering, with only 18 linked to extremist Islamic groups.

Thousands of counter-terrorism experts and police from various countries have arrived in Paris, many specializing in cyber-terrorism. French security officials assess the risk of cyber-terrorism as higher than that of bombings in crowded areas and sports facilities.

Belgian authorities recently arrested seven Central Asian nationals for alleged collaboration with “ISIS-Khorasan,” which reportedly planned attacks during the Paris Games. Additionally, Hamas has claimed in a recent video that it intends to stage a “bloodbath” in Paris, alongside ISIS’s official threats of attacks during the Games.