Smoke billows from the sites of several Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, Marjayoun district, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of having stolen more than 21 tons of agricultural crops, including walnuts and avocados, from orchards in the towns of Klayaa and Burj al-Malook, both located in the Marjayoun district in southern Lebanon, according to a statement by the Internal Security Forces (ISF) on Monday.
The statement noted that the thefts took place while citizens "were absent from their villages due to the Israeli aggression in the region."
"The citizens filed complaints ... leading to the initiation of investigations by patrols from the Intelligence Division in the South," according to the statement.
Since Oct. 8, the exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah has displaced 91,288 people from southern Lebanon, particularly from border towns and villages, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The ISF statement claims that its investigations into the residents' complaints "revealed that individuals of Syrian nationality had sold crops similar to those stolen on the Klaya Abl al-Saqi main road."
A patrol from the Intelligence Division in the town of Khiam organized an ambush which resulted in the arrest of one of the accused.
"During the interrogation, the individual confessed to the theft and the subsequent sale of the entire stolen quantity to the mentioned vegetable shops," the statement explained.
Further arrests were made, including one individual born in the town of Klayaa and another born in Abl al-Saqi, both suspected accomplices in the theft and sale of the stolen crops.
"The three detainees have been handed over to the authorities to undergo legal proceedings, following the directive of the competent judiciary," the statement concluded.