A picture taken from Israel along the border with southern Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in the Lebanese village of Yaroun on April 9, 2024. (Credit: Menahem Kahana/AFP)
Israel released Mehdi Chamout, a Lebanese citizen missing for several days, on Sunday, according to our correspondent in the region, Mountasser Abdallah, citing security sources. Chamout’s car was found Friday riddled with bullets in Wadi al-Hujai, a strategic valley in the Marjayoun district. The young man, in his twenties, hails from Braasheet, a village in the Bint Jbeil district.
According to the mayor of Tayr Harfa in the Sour district, Israel later released three other individuals — brothers Qassem, Jaafar and Ahmad Haidar — at the Naqoura crossing. They were received by the Lebanese Red Cross and handed over to Lebanese Army intelligence. Details are still emerging about the circumstances of their detention in Tayr Harfa.
Other Lebanese detainees, including Rafaat, Youssef, Jamal al-Ahmad and Jaafar al-Moustafa, were also freed, according to the Wazzani municipality in the Hasbaya district. The seven individuals, confirmed released by the municipalities of Tayr Harfa and Wazzani, were taken to the Italian hospital in Sour for medical examinations.
Al-Jadeed also reported that UNIFIL and the Lebanese Red Cross received Chamout, who was transferred to a hospital under Lebanese Army supervision. Later, the Red Cross confirmed receiving him in Houla (Marjayoun) and stated that he underwent “necessary medical examinations” and was in good condition.
This is not the first instance of Israeli abductions in southern Lebanon, even after the ceasefire. On Dec. 14, shepherd Abdo Abd al-Aal was abducted in the Majidieh area (Hasbaya district) while tending his flock.
Katz’s threats amid ongoing tensions
A ceasefire was reached on Nov. 27 following over 13 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, during which more than 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon. Despite the relative calm, Israeli artillery shelled the town of Hanine on Sunday, according to our correspondent.
During a visit to an Israeli military position in southern Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, threatening to “crush Hezbollah’s head” if the Lebanese group violated the ceasefire agreement, Israeli media reported.
“We have dismantled the snake, and if Hezbollah does not retreat beyond the Litani and attempts to violate the ceasefire, we will crush its head,” Katz said in remarks provided by his office. “We will not allow Hezbollah operatives to return to southern villages and reestablish terrorist infrastructure that would threaten northern communities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet in northern Israel. According to aides cited by The Times of Israel, the cabinet discussed the situations in Syria and Lebanon, as well as ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza.
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles
