In a significant and concerning development, armed individuals abducted a mariner in northern Lebanon, leading Lebanese authorities to launch an investigation into the potential involvement of Israeli forces in this incident. The situation unfolded in Batroun, approximately 31 miles north of Beirut, where a reported naval incursion occurred at dawn on Friday.
Lebanese state media identified the abducted individual as Imad Amhaz, who was taken during an organized operation that saw over 25 armed men allegedly land on the coast. Surveillance footage that circulated online depicted the dramatic scene, wherein armed men were seen leading away a man with his shirt covering his head.
According to the National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon, an “unidentified military force” conducted what was described as a “sea landing,” targeting a chalet located on the shoreline. This force reportedly executed the kidnapping before swiftly retreating to their boats and departing the area.
Imran Khan, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, characterized the event as “unprecedented,” highlighting that such an incursion had not been witnessed in northern Lebanon before. This incident, he noted, signified a serious escalation in tensions, as it marked a rare case of abduction outside the usual parameters of conflict that typically involve southern Lebanon or border regions.
Compounding the gravity of the situation, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid indicated that Amhaz might be associated with Hezbollah’s naval forces, although Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works, Ali Hamieh, clarified that he was a civilian naval officer. Minister Hamieh raised important questions regarding the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was designed to stabilize the region following the 2006 Lebanon War.
Hamieh emphasized ongoing communications with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has the mandate to monitor the Lebanese coast, and expressed concerns over recent Israeli assaults on this peacekeeping force. This highlights the fragility of the current security situation in the region, as tensions between local groups and external forces remain fraught.
The abduction comes amid continuous Israeli military operations in various parts of Lebanon, including airstrikes targeting regions like Nabatieh, the Bekaa Valley, and historic cities including Tyre and Baalbek. Simultaneously, Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire into Israeli territory, further escalating the conflict.
This incident underscores the complexities of the geopolitical landscape in the region, marked by historical tensions and ongoing hostilities. As the investigation unfolds, the international community remains watchful of developments in this vital area of the Middle East.
#MiddleEastNews #PoliticsNews