Israeli commandos seize Lebanese Islamist official in Hebbariyeh as ceasefire violations and cross-border tensions continue to mount.
Key Developments
- Israeli unit abducted Islamic Group official Atwi Atwi from his home.
- Family reportedly beaten during pre-dawn raid.
- Israeli army later confirmed the kidnapping.
- Group says operation aimed to intimidate border residents.
- Incident follows thousands of ceasefire violations in Lebanon.
Pre-Dawn Infiltration
The Islamic Group in Lebanon announced that an Israeli force infiltrated the southern town of Hebbariyeh at dawn Monday and abducted senior official Atwi Atwi, who heads the movement in the Hasbaya and Marjeyoun area.
In a statement, the group said the force entered the town under cover of darkness, stormed his home and “took him to an unknown destination after terrorizing his family and assaulting them.”
It held Israel fully responsible for his safety and described the operation as part of “daily violations and aggressive attacks against Lebanon.”
The movement added that such actions are intended to intimidate residents and push them to leave their villages and land.
It also questioned whether the raid was linked to a recent visit by the Lebanese prime minister to the southern region, asking whether the “piracy” was a response to that visit.
Israeli Army Confirms Arrest
Hours later, the Israeli army acknowledged responsibility, stating it had detained a “prominent operative” affiliated with the Islamic Group in the Jabal al-Rous area of southern Lebanon.
The admission confirmed Lebanese reports that described the operation as a cross-border abduction rather than an arrest carried out inside Israeli-controlled territory.
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Pattern of Ceasefire Violations
The incident comes despite the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel that entered into force in late November 2024.
Lebanese and international sources say Israel has committed thousands of violations since then, killing and injuring hundreds and causing widespread material destruction.
The truce was intended to end hostilities that began with Israeli attacks in October 2023 and escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024 that killed more than 4,000 people and wounded over 17,000 in Lebanon.
Israel also continues to occupy five Lebanese hills captured during the war, in addition to other territories it has held for decades.
The Islamic Group said Israel still detains at least 20 Lebanese prisoners, some arrested after the ceasefire took effect.
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Calls for International Pressure
The movement called on the Lebanese government to pressure the sponsors of the ceasefire agreement to halt Israeli actions and secure the release of Atwi and other detainees.
It said the raid “adds to the series of daily violations and barbaric assaults on sovereignty” and warned that continued incursions risk escalating tensions along the border.
The abduction underscores the fragility of the truce, as surveillance flights, shelling incidents and cross-border operations continue despite the formal cessation of hostilities.
(AL-Mayadeen, AJA, PC)
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